Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Bakersfield and Clearwater have a similar cost of living.

$1,371/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 12%
$77,397/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 17%
$347,300 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 6%
$1,540/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 8%
408,366
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $168/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $2,016/year.

Median household income is $12,957/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Clearwater?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $168/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Clearwater?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $12,957/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Clearwater details →

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