Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Bakersfield is 76% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,371/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 27%
$77,397/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 41%
$347,300 ↑ 178%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 64%
$1,540/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 36%
408,366
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $373/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $4,476/year.

Median household income is $31,552/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making Syracuse slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Syracuse?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $373/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Syracuse?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $31,552/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between California and New York?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Syracuse details →

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