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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Bakersfield is 51% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,371/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 23%
$77,397/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 19%
$347,300 ↑ 86%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 46%
$1,540/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 30%
408,366
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $322/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $3,864/year.

Median household income is $14,928/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Amarillo?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $322/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Amarillo?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $14,928/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,049/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Amarillo details →

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