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

Bakersfield

California
104
VS

Tyler

Texas
79

Bakersfield is 32% more expensive than Tyler.

$1,371/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,199/mo ↓ 13%
$77,397/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$65,527/yr ↓ 15%
$347,300 ↑ 60%
Home Value
$216,400 ↓ 38%
$1,540/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,170/mo ↓ 24%
408,366
Population
107,718

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
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bakersfield, CA and Tyler, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $172/month cheaper in Tyler, saving renters about $2,064/year.

Median household income is $11,870/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bakersfield is $347,300 compared to $216,400 in Tyler.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bakersfield vs Tyler — common questions

Is Bakersfield or Tyler cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tyler is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bakersfield and Tyler?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,371/month and in Tyler it's $1,199/month — a difference of $172/month.
Which city has higher income, Bakersfield or Tyler?
Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield and $65,527 in Tyler. Median household income is $11,870/year higher in Bakersfield.
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 Tyler?
It depends on your priorities. Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,371/mo, while Tyler has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,199/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bakersfield details → View Tyler details →

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