What Salary Do You Need to Live in Bakersfield, CA?

To live comfortably in Bakersfield, a household needs to earn roughly $75,000/year. That's about $6,250/month before taxes.

The Number: $75,000/year

At $75,000 per year, a household in Bakersfield can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Bakersfield's median monthly rent of $1,708 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Bakersfield at a Glance

Median rent$1,708/mo
Median home price$406,500
Median household income$82,093
State income taxUp to 13.3%
Sales tax8.25%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Bakersfield on roughly $50,000/year. That's about $4,167/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Bakersfield

The median monthly rent is $1,708. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $68,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $406,500. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $81,300 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $82,093/year. Our recommended salary of $75,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.