Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Provo, UT (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Bakersfield and Provo have a similar cost of living.

$1,371/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 16%
$77,397/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 19%
$347,300 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$437,100 ↑ 26%
$1,540/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 21%
408,366
Population
114,303

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $219/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $2,628/year.

Median household income is $14,597/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Provo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Provo — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Provo?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $219/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Provo?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $14,597/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Provo has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,152/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Provo details →

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