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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

San Bernardino, CA

Population: 221,041 (2022) · Mid-Size Cities (100K–250K)

D
40/100

Below average — significant fiscal challenges in multiple areas

Total Spending
$52.7B
Per Capita
$238,232
Total Revenue
$8.2B
Total Debt
$0

Spending Breakdown

Other
30.8%$16.2B
Utilities
28.3%$14.9B
General Administration
12.4%$6.5B
Housing & Community Development
9.3%$4.9B
Education
6.8%$3.6B
Police
6.1%$3.2B
Public Welfare
2.5%$1.3B
Fire Protection
1.4%$738.8M
Highways & Roads
1.1%$553.4M
Parks & Recreation
0.7%$342.8M
Health
0.4%$210.2M
Sewerage
0.2%$122.2M

Spending data sourced from the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State & Local Government Finances. Per-capita comparisons use the Lincoln Institute's Fiscally Standardized Cities methodology for fair cross-city benchmarking.

Revenue Sources

Property Tax
0.5%$40.7M
Sales Tax
1.0%$82.7M
Income Tax
12.4%$1.0B
Charges & Fees
0.5%$39.8M
Other
69.9%$5.7B

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police$14,631/person
Fire Protection$3,342/person
Highways & Roads$2,504/person
Parks & Recreation$1,551/person
Education$16,259/person
Health$951/person

Score Breakdown

Budget Balance & Reserves (25%)0/100
Debt Burden (20%)100/100
Pension Funding (20%)76/100
Spending Efficiency (15%)0/100
Revenue Diversity (10%)0/100
Trend Direction (10%)50/100

Compare Cities

See how San Bernardino stacks up against another city.

vs Los Angeles, CAvs San Diego, CAvs San Jose, CA
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023). Population from American Community Survey.

Other Cities in California

Frequently Asked Questions

San Bernardino, CA spends $238,232 per resident, based on total expenditures of $52.7B for a population of 221,041. The city has a Fiscal Health Score of D (40/100).

San Bernardino, CA has total expenditures of $52.7B and total revenue of $8.2B. The city carries $0 in total debt, based on Census Bureau data from 2023.

San Bernardino, CA employs 0 government workers, of which 0 are full-time. The average government salary is $0, with 0.0 employees per 10,000 residents.

San Bernardino, CA has a Fiscal Health Score of D (40/100). This score evaluates budget balance, debt burden, pension funding, spending efficiency, revenue diversity, and 3-year fiscal trajectory compared to peer cities of similar population.