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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Hialeah

Florida
109

Bakersfield is 5% cheaper than Hialeah.

$1,371/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,558/mo ↑ 14%
$77,397/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$53,079/yr ↓ 31%
$347,300 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$359,200 ↑ 3%
$1,540/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,448/mo ↓ 6%
408,366
Population
221,901

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
35.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Hialeah, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $187/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $2,244/year.

Median household income is $24,318/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $359,200 in Hialeah.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Hialeah — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Hialeah cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Hialeah?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Hialeah it's $1,558/month — a difference of $187/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Hialeah?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $53,079 in Hialeah. Median household income is $24,318/year higher in Bakersfield.
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 Hialeah?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Hialeah has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,558/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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