Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Bakersfield is 40% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,371/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 48%
$77,397/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 47%
$347,300 ↓ 50%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 101%
$1,540/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 41%
408,366
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $660/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $7,920/year.

Median household income is $36,241/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Alexandria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Alexandria?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $660/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Alexandria?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $36,241/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Alexandria details →

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