Home Affordability Drops 1 Percent in San Bernadino, County, Calif.

Byline: Mike Rappaport

Jul. 12--Home affordability declined slightly in San Bernardino County in May and might have declined more if not for low prices in the High Desert.

The percentage of San Bernardino County households that could afford a median-priced home dropped to 52 percent, down from 53 percent the previous month and 54 percent a year ago, according to figures released Thursday by the California Association of Realtors.

Statewide, the affordability index declined 7 percent from a year ago.

Only 27 percent of California households were able to afford the median price of $321,130, which was up 25.5 percent from the May 2001 price …