Cost of Living: Bakersfield, CA vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Bakersfield is 25% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,371/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 31%
$77,397/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 83%
$347,300 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 38%
$1,540/mo ↓ 23%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 30%
408,366
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $421/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $5,052/year.

Median household income is $63,956/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

Texas has no state income tax, giving The Woodlands residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Bakersfield or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $421/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $63,956/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Bakersfield or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Bakersfield and The Woodlands

Bakersfield vs. Tulsa Bakersfield vs. Wichita Bakersfield vs. Minneapolis Bakersfield vs. Arlington Bakersfield vs. Oakland Bakersfield vs. Tampa The Woodlands vs. Lakeland The Woodlands vs. Evansville The Woodlands vs. Clearwater The Woodlands vs. Brandon The Woodlands vs. North Charleston The Woodlands vs. West Jordan