Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Gresham, OR (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Gresham

Oregon
119

Bakersfield is 13% cheaper than Gresham.

$1,371/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,508/mo ↑ 10%
$77,397/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$73,608/yr ↓ 5%
$347,300 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$440,000 ↑ 27%
$1,540/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,590/mo ↑ 3%
408,366
Population
112,818

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Gresham, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $137/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $1,644/year.

Median household income is $3,789/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $440,000 in Gresham.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Gresham slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Gresham — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Gresham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Gresham?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Gresham it's $1,508/month — a difference of $137/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Gresham?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $73,608 in Gresham. Median household income is $3,789/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Gresham?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Gresham has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,508/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Gresham details →

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