Question 1

Is Bakersfield or Colorado Springs cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $42/month less than in Colorado Springs, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,483/mo in Bakersfield versus $1,735/mo in Colorado Springs.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Bakersfield vs Colorado Springs?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $77,000/year before tax in Bakersfield, CA and $77,000/year in Colorado Springs, CO — a difference of about $0. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Bakersfield or Colorado Springs cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Bakersfield, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $10,022/month in Bakersfield and $10,341/month in Colorado Springs, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Bakersfield or Colorado Springs?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Bakersfield costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Bakersfield63	Colorado Springs58
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,129	$4,171
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,022	$10,341
Salary for comfort	$77,000/yr	$77,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,483	$1,735
Median home value	$347,300	$420,700
Median household income	$77,397	$83,198
Unemployment	6.2%	4.0%
Housing score	65	53
Jobs score	33	47
Safety score	54	32
Climate score	90	85
Amenities score	47	45
Population	408.4K	483.1K
Summer high / winter low	97° / 39°	85° / 18°

Bakersfield, CA vs Colorado Springs, CO