Bakersfield, CA vs Long Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Bakersfield, CA and Long Beach, CA is dramatic. Bakersfield is 32.7% cheaper than Long Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bakersfield has a cost index of 106 while Long Beach sits at 157, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month compared to $1,803/month in Long Beach — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bakersfield is more affordable at $347,300 median vs $762,200.

Median household income in Bakersfield is $77,397 compared to $83,969 in Long Beach (-7.8%). Long Beach does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Bakersfield spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Long Beach.