salaryRent is higher than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $80,720 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 232 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Bakersfield with other big cities
Compare Bakersfield to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Bakersfield?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bakersfield
| Size | Bakersfield | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,189 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,154 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,407 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,861 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,346 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bakersfield overall?
Everyday prices in the Bakersfield-Delano metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bakersfield
Life in Bakersfield
What jobs pay in Bakersfield
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $198,070 | 12.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $165,580 | 14.6% |
| Pharmacist | $161,930 | 15.0% |
| Lawyer | $150,900 | 16.0% |
| Software Developer | $130,330 | 18.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $128,810 | 18.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $114,380 | 21.2% |
| Operations Manager | $104,460 | 23.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,400 | 24.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,300 | 24.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,900 | 30.3% |
| Accountant | $79,620 | 30.4% |
| Police Officer | $78,130 | 31.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,130 | 31.8% |
| Electrician | $75,860 | 31.9% |
| Firefighter | $72,410 | 33.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,910 | 34.6% |
| Carpenter | $66,540 | 36.4% |
| Plumber | $66,450 | 36.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $66,400 | 36.5% |
| Truck Driver | $57,690 | 42.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,310 | 51.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,890 | 51.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,560 | 52.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,130 | 52.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,800 | 64.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,320 | 66.7% |
| Cashier | $35,220 | 68.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,320 | 70.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bakersfield?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $561 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $371,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bakersfield, CA?
Renting in Bakersfield costs a median of about $2,018 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Bakersfield?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $80,720 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bakersfield cheap or expensive?
Bakersfield is rated OK: rent takes 27.9% of the typical household income of $86,862. It ranks 232nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bakersfield?
The median homeowner in Bakersfield pays $3,619 a year in property taxes, about 0.97% of the median home value.
Is Bakersfield more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bakersfield?
The median home value in Bakersfield is $371,700, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
411,986 people live in Bakersfield. Numbers are typical (middle) values.