Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Bakersfield, CA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Bakersfield

California
104

Austin is 29% more expensive than Bakersfield.

$1,655/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$1,371/mo ↓ 17%
$91,461/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$77,397/yr ↓ 15%
$512,700 ↑ 48%
Home Value
$347,300 ↓ 32%
$1,747/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,540/mo ↓ 12%
967,862
Population
408,366

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Bakersfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $284/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $3,408/year.

Median household income is $14,064/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $347,300 in Bakersfield.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Bakersfield — common questions

Is Austin or Bakersfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Bakersfield?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Bakersfield it's $1,371/month — a difference of $284/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Bakersfield?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $77,397 in Bakersfield. Median household income is $14,064/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Bakersfield?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,371/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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