Moving from Kent, WA to San Bernardino, CA
Relocating 1173 mi from Kent to San Bernardino is a 22h 14m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1173 mi Β· 22h 14m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Moreno Valley, Victorville, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | San Bernardino | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Kent and San Bernardino sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $656,314 in Kent to $487,988 in San Bernardino, a 4.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, San Bernardino -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 12.9" |
Expect 11.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, REDLANDS, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 221,774 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $63,988 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 9% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 3.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.2% β $90,416 β $63,988 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 95Β°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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is San Bernardino more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Bernardino is 4.2% lower than Kent (106.442 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent to San Bernardino?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1173 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Bernardino, CA from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1173 mi and the route typically takes 22h 14m via I 5 and CA 210. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Bernardino compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Bernardino compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,988 in San Bernardino vs $656,314 in Kent β a 25.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs San Bernardino?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $90,416 in Kent β a 29.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· San Bernardino, CA.