Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Cleveland, OH (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Bakersfield is 104% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,371/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 35%
$77,397/yr ↑ 98%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 49%
$347,300 ↑ 269%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 73%
$1,540/mo ↑ 78%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 44%
408,366
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
3.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $477/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $5,724/year.

Median household income is $38,210/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Cleveland?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $477/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Cleveland?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $38,210/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Ohio?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with rent of $894/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Cleveland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Bakersfield and Cleveland

Bakersfield vs. Tulsa Bakersfield vs. Wichita Bakersfield vs. Minneapolis Bakersfield vs. Arlington Bakersfield vs. Oakland Bakersfield vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson