Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Bakersfield, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Bakersfield

California
104

San Francisco is 157% more expensive than Bakersfield.

$2,419/mo ↑ 76%
Median Rent
$1,371/mo ↓ 43%
$141,446/yr ↑ 83%
Median Income
$77,397/yr ↓ 45%
$1,380,500 ↑ 297%
Home Value
$347,300 ↓ 75%
$2,620/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,540/mo ↓ 41%
836,321
Population
408,366

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Bakersfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,048/month cheaper in Bakersfield, saving renters about $12,576/year.

Median household income is $64,049/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $347,300 in Bakersfield.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Bakersfield — common questions

Is San Francisco or Bakersfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bakersfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Bakersfield?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Bakersfield it's $1,371/month — a difference of $1,048/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Bakersfield?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $77,397 in Bakersfield. Median household income is $64,049/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Bakersfield?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Bakersfield details →

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