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Bakersfield vs San Francisco: which is cheaper?

Bakersfield is 15% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $68,759 in San Francisco to live the same way.

🏠 Rent per month
$2,018
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,407
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$86,862
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$371,700
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
100.9
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$3,619
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$203
$104
👥 People living there
411,986
830,235
Commute to work
23.6 min
30.4 min
College degree
23.6%
60.3%
Own their home
60.6%
38.2%
Below poverty line
16.3%
11.2%
Unemployment
7%
6.1%

Bottom line

Pay for the same job

JobBakersfieldSan FranciscoDifference
Market Research Analyst$69,910$123,250+76% in San Francisco
Police Officer$78,130$132,000+69% in San Francisco
Firefighter$72,410$113,700+57% in San Francisco
Registered Nurse$128,810$186,610+45% in San Francisco
Operations Manager$104,460$149,990+44% in San Francisco
Software Developer$130,330$186,640+43% in San Francisco
Lawyer$150,900$212,500+41% in San Francisco
Accountant$79,620$110,730+39% in San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

Is Bakersfield or San Francisco cheaper to live in?

Bakersfield is about 15% cheaper overall. Rent is $2,018 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.

What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Bakersfield?

About $68,759 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.

Where do people earn more, Bakersfield or San Francisco?

The typical household earns $86,862 in Bakersfield and $152,036 in San Francisco, 43% more in San Francisco.

More comparisons

All Bakersfield comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →

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