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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Laredo

Texas
67

Bakersfield is 55% more expensive than Laredo.

$1,371/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,001/mo ↓ 27%
$77,397/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$63,264/yr ↓ 18%
$347,300 ↑ 90%
Home Value
$182,400 ↓ 47%
$1,540/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,066/mo ↓ 31%
408,366
Population
255,949

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
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Laredo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $370/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $4,440/year.

Median household income is $14,133/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $182,400 in Laredo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Laredo — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Laredo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Laredo?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Laredo it's $1,001/month — a difference of $370/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Laredo?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $63,264 in Laredo. Median household income is $14,133/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 Laredo?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Laredo has a cost index of 67 with rent of $1,001/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Laredo details →

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