Question 1

Is Bakersfield or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,200/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,483/mo in Bakersfield versus $2,903/mo in Los Angeles.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Bakersfield vs Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $77,000/year before tax in Bakersfield, CA and $105,000/year in Los Angeles, CA — a difference of about $28,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Bakersfield or Los Angeles 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 $12,135/month in Los Angeles, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Bakersfield or Los Angeles?

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	Los Angeles49
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,129	$5,329
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,022	$12,135
Salary for comfort	$77,000/yr	$105,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,483	$2,903
Median home value	$347,300	$879,500
Median household income	$77,397	$80,366
Unemployment	6.2%	5.3%
Housing score	65	1
Jobs score	33	20
Safety score	54	47
Climate score	90	100
Amenities score	47	100
Population	408.4K	3.9M
Summer high / winter low	97° / 39°	83° / 48°

Bakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CA