Bakersfield, CA Cost of Living & Economic Score
Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Bakersfield, CA metropolitan statistical area.
Cost of living in Bakersfield
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Bakersfield, CA metropolitan area run 9.0% below the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 91.0 on a base of 100). That puts Bakersfield close to the middle of the U.S. cost-of-living range.
For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every California household — see the California state report.
Other California metros
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA RPP 122.9 F
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA RPP 121.8 F
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA RPP 121.3 F
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA RPP 119.0 F
- Salinas, CA RPP 117.0 F
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA RPP 115.0 F
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA RPP 114.0 F
- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA RPP 114.5 F
- Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA RPP 108.0 D
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA RPP 102.0 C
- Fresno, CA RPP 93.0 B
Compare to similar-cost metros
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bakersfield, CA?
The Bakersfield, CA metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 9.0% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Is Bakersfield an affordable place to live?
Bakersfield, CA has an InflationRank score of 85/100 (grade B), reflecting above-average affordability relative to U.S. metros. The metro RPP of 91.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.
How does Bakersfield compare to other cities for cost of living?
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 91.0 (U.S.=100), 9.0% below the national average. Similar-cost metros include St. Louis, MO (RPP 91.0), Louisville/Jefferson County, KY (RPP 91.0).
About the InflationRank Score
The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.
Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →