Moving from Anaheim, CA to San Bernardino, CA
Moving from Anaheim, CA to San Bernardino, CA is a 41 mi drive, about 53 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
41 mi · 53 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, I 215, CA 259 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Anaheim | San Bernardino | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in San Bernardino are 6.3% below Anaheim — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Bernardino typical home at $487,988 is 6.3% under Anaheim at $950,504 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Anaheim +0.2%, San Bernardino -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Anaheim | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 12.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 67.7°F vs 65.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Bernardino sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANAHEIM, CA US, REDLANDS, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Anaheim | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 221,774 |
| Median household income | $90,583 | $63,988 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.5% | 9% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.51 |
Median household income in San Bernardino is 6.3% below Anaheim ($90,583 vs $63,988, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Bernardino MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Bernardino average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: San Bernardino sees only 12.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Anaheim vs San Bernardino?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $90,583 in Anaheim — a 29.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Anaheim to San Bernardino?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 41 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Anaheim and San Bernardino?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.2°F in San Bernardino vs 67.7°F in Anaheim (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.9 in vs 13.5 in.
Is San Bernardino more expensive than Anaheim?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Bernardino is 6.3% lower than Anaheim (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Bernardino compare to Anaheim?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA vs $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Bernardino compared to Anaheim?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,988 in San Bernardino vs $950,504 in Anaheim — a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Bernardino, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via CA 91 and I 215. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Anaheim.
City profiles: Anaheim, CA · San Bernardino, CA.