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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Bakersfield

California
104

El Paso is 36% cheaper than Bakersfield.

$1,041/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,371/mo ↑ 32%
$58,734/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$77,397/yr ↑ 32%
$171,700 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$347,300 ↑ 102%
$1,044/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,540/mo ↑ 48%
678,147
Population
408,366

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Bakersfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $330/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,960/year.

Median household income is $18,663/year higher in Bakersfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $347,300 in Bakersfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Bakersfield — common questions

Is El Paso or Bakersfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Bakersfield?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Bakersfield it's $1,371/month — a difference of $330/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Bakersfield?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $77,397 in Bakersfield. Median household income is $18,663/year higher in Bakersfield.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Bakersfield?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Bakersfield has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,371/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Bakersfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Bakersfield

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