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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Bakersfield is 14% more expensive than College Station.

$1,371/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 15%
$77,397/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 33%
$347,300 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 6%
$1,540/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 19%
408,366
Population
122,280

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
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $203/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $2,436/year.

Median household income is $25,621/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs College Station — common questions

Is Bakersfield or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and College Station?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $203/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or College Station?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $25,621/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 College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View College Station details →

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