Question 1

Is Bakersfield or Colorado Springs cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $966/month less than in Bakersfield, 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 $96,000/year before tax in Bakersfield, CA and $72,500/year in Colorado Springs, CO — a difference of about $23,500. 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

Colorado Springs, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $9,823/month in Bakersfield and $7,542/month in Colorado Springs, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Bakersfield or Colorado Springs?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Colorado Springs 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	Bakersfield57	Colorado Springs59
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,920	$3,954
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$9,823	$7,542
Salary for comfort	$96,000/yr	$72,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,483	$1,735
Median home value	$347,300	$420,700
Median household income	$77,397	$83,198
Unemployment	5.4%	3.7%
Housing score	67	55
Jobs score	32	45
Safety score	54	32
Climate score	90	85
Amenities score	47	45
Population	408.4K	483.1K
Summer high / winter low	97° / 37°	85° / 18°

Bakersfield, CA vs Colorado Springs, CO