Bakersfield, CA vs Pasadena, CA

The cost of living difference between Bakersfield, CA and Pasadena, CA is dramatic. Bakersfield is 45.2% cheaper than Pasadena, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bakersfield has a cost index of 106 while Pasadena sits at 193, 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 $2,218/month in Pasadena — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bakersfield is more affordable at $347,300 median vs $1,045,000.

Median household income in Bakersfield is $77,397 compared to $103,778 in Pasadena (-25.4%). The higher salaries in Pasadena partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bakersfield spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Pasadena.