| Index | Bakersfield | California | National |
| Cost of living | 123 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 138 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Bakersfield allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Bakersfield stands at 123, marking it 23% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Bakersfield may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Bakersfield falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Bakersfield, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 37.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Bakersfield is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 40 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Bakersfield. The results indicated that 45% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 55% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Wondering if Bakersfield is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Bakersfield, for example, the median home price is 45.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 19.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bakersfield boasting a median household income of $98,140, which is 20.7% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Bakersfield, the transportation index stands at 20.2% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Bakersfield, is 37.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Bakersfield shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $129,084 | $10,757 | $3,012 | $3,873 |
| Renters | $62,367 | $5,197 | $1,455 | $1,871 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cherokee Strip, CA | 300 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Mexican Colony, CA | 350 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Weedpatch, CA | 2,941 | 101 | 0.7% |
| Fuller Acres, CA | 647 | 103 | 2.7% |
| Lamont, CA | 15,220 | 106 | 6.4% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 390,909 | 123 | 23.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 81 | 18.9% |
| Aurora, CO | 393,102 | 126 | 25.9% |
| Wichita, KS | 398,457 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Tampa, FL | 403,927 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 390,909 | 123 | 23.3% |
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