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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Bakersfield is 108% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,371/mo ↑ 58%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 37%
$77,397/yr ↑ 78%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 44%
$347,300 ↑ 273%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 73%
$1,540/mo ↑ 85%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 46%
408,366
Population
136,741

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
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $505/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $6,060/year.

Median household income is $33,943/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Dayton — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Dayton?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $505/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Dayton?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $33,943/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 Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Dayton details →

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