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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Lubbock

Texas
75

Bakersfield is 39% more expensive than Lubbock.

$1,371/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$1,137/mo ↓ 17%
$77,397/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$60,487/yr ↓ 22%
$347,300 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$197,900 ↓ 43%
$1,540/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,179/mo ↓ 23%
408,366
Population
261,078

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
22.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Lubbock, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 75 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $234/month cheaper in Lubbock, saving renters about $2,808/year.

Median household income is $16,910/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $197,900 in Lubbock.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Lubbock — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Lubbock cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lubbock is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Lubbock?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Lubbock it's $1,137/month — a difference of $234/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Lubbock?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $60,487 in Lubbock. Median household income is $16,910/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 Lubbock?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Lubbock has a cost index of 75 with rent of $1,137/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Lubbock details →

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