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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Bakersfield is 21% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,371/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 30%
$77,397/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 3%
$347,300 ↓ 24%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 31%
$1,540/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 15%
408,366
Population
183,032

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $405/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $4,860/year.

Median household income is $2,538/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $405/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $2,538/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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