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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Garland

Texas
96

Bakersfield is 8% more expensive than Garland.

$1,371/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,525/mo ↑ 11%
$77,397/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$74,717/yr ↓ 3%
$347,300 ↑ 40%
Home Value
$248,900 ↓ 28%
$1,540/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,445/mo ↓ 6%
408,366
Population
245,298

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Garland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 96 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $154/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $1,848/year.

Median household income is $2,680/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $248,900 in Garland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Garland — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Garland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Garland is cheaper to live in with an index of 96 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Garland?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Garland it's $1,525/month — a difference of $154/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Garland?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $74,717 in Garland. Median household income is $2,680/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 Garland?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Garland has a cost index of 96 with rent of $1,525/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Garland details →

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