Cost of Living in Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield is about 5% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Bakersfield at a Glance
On the median income of $82,093, state income tax is roughly $10,918/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Bakersfield sits at the southern end of California's Central Valley and is one of the most affordable cities in the state, with costs roughly at the national average. The median home at $355,000 is a fraction of coastal California prices. Oil production and agriculture (the surrounding Kern County is the most productive oil-producing county in California and a top agricultural producer) anchor the economy. The city has a distinctive country music heritage: Buck Owens and Merle Haggard created the 'Bakersfield Sound' that rivaled Nashville in the 1960s.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Bakersfield
California living at near-national-average costs. Remote workers earning LA or Bay Area salaries can build wealth here that is impossible on the coast. The Kern River offers rafting and outdoor recreation. The Southern Sierra Nevada, including the gateway to Sequoia National Park, is accessible. The country music heritage gives Bakersfield a cultural identity distinct from other Central Valley cities. Buck Owens' Crystal Palace is still open.
Neighborhoods
The Southwest is the most desirable residential area with newer development and good schools. Seven Oaks and Haggin Oaks are affluent. Stockdale is established upper-middle-class. Downtown has been slowly revitalizing. The Westchester/Laurel Glen area offers family living. Rosedale to the northwest is a popular suburban choice. East Bakersfield and the Oildale area to the north are the most affordable.
Things to Consider
Summer heat is extreme, regularly exceeding 100 degrees from June through September. Air quality is among the worst in the nation, often ranking #1 for particulate pollution. California's 13.3% income tax applies regardless of where you live in the state. Cultural amenities and dining options are limited compared to coastal cities. The city's reputation has historically been negative, though it is improving. Water scarcity is an ongoing regional concern.
Compare Bakersfield To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Bakersfield
Dramatically. The median home in Bakersfield ($406,500) is roughly 40% of LA's median. Rent is similarly discounted. The overall cost of living is about 35-40% below Los Angeles. LA is 110 miles south (about 2 hours on I-5 without traffic), making Bakersfield a feasible option for those who don't need to commute daily.
The Central Valley is a geographic bowl ringed by mountains (Sierra Nevada to the east, Coast Ranges to the west, Tehachapi Mountains to the south). This traps air pollutants from agriculture, oil production, vehicle emissions, and wildfire smoke. The problem is worst in summer and fall. Residents with respiratory conditions should research air quality carefully before committing.
The Bakersfield Sound is a style of country music developed in the 1950s and 60s by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard as a raw, electric alternative to the polished Nashville Sound. It influenced generations of country, rock, and alt-country musicians. Buck Owens' Crystal Palace (restaurant, museum, and live venue) is still operating. The musical heritage gives Bakersfield a cultural identity that few Central Valley cities can match.