Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Bakersfield and Paterson have a similar cost of living.

$1,371/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↑ 6%
$77,397/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 31%
$347,300 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 3%
$1,540/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ≈ Same
408,366
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $86/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $1,032/year.

Median household income is $23,631/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

New Jersey has a lower income tax rate, making Paterson slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Paterson — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Paterson 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 Paterson?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $86/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Paterson?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $23,631/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and New Jersey?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Paterson details →

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