CostIndexUSA

Richmond, VA vs San Bernardino, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
CA
San Bernardino
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Richmond is moderately cheaper than San Bernardino — 8.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Richmond, you would need $86,900 in San Bernardino. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+30.5%
Richmond
99.1
San Bernardino
129.3
🛒 Groceries+4.8%
Richmond
96.8
San Bernardino
101.4
🚗 Transportation+2.7%
Richmond
103.5
San Bernardino
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Richmond
93.7
San Bernardino
96.2
Utilities+66.6%
Richmond
89.2
San Bernardino
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Richmond to see what you'd need to earn in San Bernardino to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Bernardino, CA
$86,900
$6,900 more needed in San Bernardino

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0868. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

San Bernardino, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

San Bernardino has 30.5% higher housing costs compared to Richmond.

Income & Job Market

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

San Bernardino, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
222,101
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsGovernmentRetailManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

San Bernardino, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.