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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Irving

Texas
102

Bakersfield and Irving have a similar cost of living.

$1,371/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,517/mo ↑ 11%
$77,397/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$79,641/yr ↑ 3%
$347,300 ↑ 21%
Home Value
$287,300 ↓ 17%
$1,540/mo ↑ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,521/mo ↓ 1%
408,366
Population
255,036

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
22.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Irving, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $146/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $1,752/year.

Median household income is $2,244/year higher in Irving. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $287,300 in Irving.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Irving — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Irving cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Irving is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Irving?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Irving it's $1,517/month — a difference of $146/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Irving?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $79,641 in Irving. Median household income is $2,244/year higher in Irving.
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 Irving?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Irving has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,517/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Irving details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Bakersfield and Irving

Bakersfield vs. Tulsa Bakersfield vs. Wichita Bakersfield vs. Minneapolis Bakersfield vs. Arlington Bakersfield vs. Oakland Bakersfield vs. Tampa Irving vs. Laredo Irving vs. Chesapeake Irving vs. St. Petersburg Irving vs. Winston-Salem Irving vs. Lubbock Irving vs. Glendale