Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Bakersfield and Manchester have a similar cost of living.

$1,371/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 7%
$77,397/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$77,415/yr ≈ Same
$347,300 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 3%
$1,540/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ≈ Same
408,366
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $94/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $1,128/year.

Median household income is $18/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Manchester — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Manchester?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $94/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Manchester?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $18/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between California and New Hampshire?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Manchester details →

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