Cost of Living in Bakersfield, California
In Bakersfield, the median household income is $80,540 and the median gross rent is $1,472/mo, with a median home value of $371,700. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $80,540
- Median gross rent
- $1,472/mo
- Median home value
- $371,700
- Population
- 411,986
How Bakersfield compares to the California average
| Measure | Bakersfield, CA | California statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,540 | $99,122 | -18.7% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,472 | $2,036 | -27.7% |
| Median home value | $371,700 | $734,700 | -49.4% |
Statewide, California prices average 110.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Bakersfield
- Salary needed for median rent
- $58,880
- Rent burden at median income
- 21.9%
- Est. affordable home price
- $293,805
So that $1,472/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Bakersfield is $371,700 — +26.5% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other California cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.