Rents are 9% below what San Bernardino's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,013 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
San Bernardino, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 13.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How San Bernardino, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in San Bernardino, CA paid around $1,392 a month. That figure now sits near $2,013, up 44.6% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $55,372 to $67,415 across the same window, up 21.7% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in San Bernardino, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about San Bernardino
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Can you afford rent in San Bernardino on your salary?
At $2,013/mo, how San Bernardino rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
San Bernardino rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in San Bernardino. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in San Bernardino
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in San Bernardino is $2,013/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,532/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,988/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,598/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,652/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($67,415/yr), San Bernardino ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is San Bernardino an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in San Bernardino?
Which San Bernardino neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does San Bernardino rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Bernardino?
What percentage of San Bernardino residents rent vs. own?
How does San Bernardino rent compare to the national average?
At $2,013/mo, rent takes ~36% of San Bernardino's median household income ($67,415/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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