San Bernardino, CA vs Vacaville, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. San Bernardino is 27.2% cheaper than Vacaville. With a cost index of 113 vs 155, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from San Bernardino to Vacaville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in San Bernardino is $1,433/month compared to $2,227/month in Vacaville — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Bernardino is more affordable at $384,900 median vs $596,700.
Median household income in San Bernardino is $63,988 compared to $108,580 in Vacaville (-41.1%). While Vacaville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of San Bernardino spend roughly 26.9% of their income on rent, more than the 24.6% in Vacaville.
Climate-wise, San Bernardino is notably warmer with an average of 66.2°F compared to 62.1°F in Vacaville. Vacaville receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 9.4" in San Bernardino.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)