Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Bakersfield is 35% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,371/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 22%
$77,397/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 21%
$347,300 ↑ 38%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 28%
$1,540/mo ↑ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 31%
408,366
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $306/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $3,672/year.

Median household income is $15,943/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Lafayette slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Lafayette?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $306/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Lafayette?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $15,943/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Lafayette details →

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