Cost of Living: Plano, TX vs San Bernardino, CA (2026)

Plano

Texas
132
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

Plano is 21% more expensive than San Bernardino.

$1,792/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↓ 20%
$108,649/yr ↑ 70%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↓ 41%
$440,600 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$384,900 ↓ 13%
$1,829/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↓ 19%
287,339
Population
221,774

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Plano, TX and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $359/month cheaper in San Bernardino, saving renters about $4,308/year.

Median household income is $44,661/year higher in Plano. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Plano is $440,600 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Plano residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plano vs San Bernardino — common questions

Is Plano or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Bernardino is cheaper to live in with an index of 109 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Plano and San Bernardino?
Median rent in Plano is $1,792/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $359/month.
Which city has higher income, Plano or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $108,649 in Plano and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $44,661/year higher in Plano.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Plano or San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. Plano has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Plano details → View San Bernardino details →

More Comparisons

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