Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs St. Petersburg, FL (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Bakersfield and St. Petersburg have a similar cost of living.

$1,371/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↑ 12%
$77,397/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↓ 6%
$347,300 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 5%
$1,540/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↓ 7%
408,366
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $171/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $2,052/year.

Median household income is $4,279/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Bakersfield or St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $171/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $4,279/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,542/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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