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Inland Empire residential
The Inland Empire is the most affordable major housing market in Southern California, with a median sale price near $500,000 and a 59 percent increase over the past decade.
The Inland Empire—the region spanning San Bernardino and Riverside counties—is home to about five million residents and has emerged as a major housing market in California. Median sale prices for existing single-family homes in San Bernardino County stood near $500,000 in early 2026, compared to significantly higher prices in the coastal counties. The region's growth has been steady; from January 2016 to January 2026, median prices rose 59 percent in San Bernardino County, substantially outpacing the statewide 31 percent increase.
Housing construction is robust. San Bernardino County issued 6,807 residential building permits in 2025, a nine percent jump from the prior year, reflecting strong developer confidence and sustained demand from families seeking homes in the region. The construction and housing sectors remain major employers in the county, supporting careers in skilled trades, property management, and the entire ecosystem of businesses that new neighborhoods require.
For families here, the combination of affordability, ongoing growth, and established neighborhoods means that building a financial plan around a home and a future makes practical sense. Term life insurance sized to cover the mortgage and the years until children are independent is the standard tool for that protection.