Bakersfield, CA vs Fresno, CA

Bakersfield, CA and Fresno, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Bakersfield scores 106 while Fresno scores 105 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month compared to $1,324/month in Fresno — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fresno has cheaper rent, Bakersfield actually has lower median home values ($347,300 vs $348,500).

Median household income in Bakersfield is $77,397 compared to $66,804 in Fresno (+15.9%). While Bakersfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bakersfield spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in Fresno.