Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Lexington, KY (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Bakersfield is 27% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,371/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 20%
$77,397/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 13%
$347,300 ↑ 28%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 22%
$1,540/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 25%
408,366
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $270/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $3,240/year.

Median household income is $9,766/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Lexington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Lexington — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Lexington?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $270/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Lexington?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $9,766/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Kentucky?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Lexington has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Lexington details →

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