Here's what it costs to live in Bakersfield, California, based on the latest US government data. Renters pay a median of $1,472 per month, while the typical home is valued around $371,700. Households earn a median of $80,540 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 57. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
$80,540
Median Income / yr
Census ACS
$1,472
Median Rent / mo
Census ACS
$371,700
Median Home Value
Census ACS
N/A
Cost of Living Index
Studio FMR
$1,132
HUD · FY2024
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,140
HUD · FY2024
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,483
HUD · FY2024
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,062
HUD · FY2024
Fair Market Rent is the 40th percentile of gross rents in the metro area · HUD FY2024
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | N/A |
| Registered Nurse | N/A |
| Elementary Teacher | N/A |
| Electrician | N/A |
| Accountant | N/A |
| Plumber | N/A |
| Nurse Practitioner | N/A |
| Civil Engineer | N/A |
| Operations Manager | N/A |
| Market Research Analyst | N/A |
| Health Services Manager | N/A |
| Truck Driver | N/A |
| Physician Assistant | N/A |
| Surgeon | N/A |
| Data Scientist | N/A |
| Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
411,986
Latest estimate
Median Age
32.1 yrs
Census ACS
57.0
Moderate0 = clean · 50 = moderate boundary · lower is better
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
12
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,331
Per month
Avg Home Value
$289,842
Census ACS
| Neighborhood | Walk Score | Median Rent | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 93203 | — | $1,063 | $229,300 |
| ZIP 93301 | — | $997 | $227,300 |
| ZIP 93304 | — | $1,117 | $209,500 |
| ZIP 93305 | — | $1,034 | $215,700 |
| ZIP 93306 | — | $1,190 | $265,600 |
| ZIP 93307 | — | $1,111 | $220,400 |
| ZIP 93308 | — | $1,180 | $284,400 |
| ZIP 93309 | — | $1,206 | $268,800 |
| ZIP 93311 | — | $1,730 | $385,200 |
| ZIP 93312 | — | $1,855 | $382,800 |
Showing top 10 of 12 tracked neighborhoods.
January Avg
49°F
July Avg
84°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.9
poor
Hospitals
6
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
92.6%
The cost of living index for Bakersfield is not yet available.
The median gross rent in Bakersfield is $1,472 per month according to US Census ACS data.
The median household income in Bakersfield is $80,540 per year.
The median home value in Bakersfield is $371,700 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
Bakersfield has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 57.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
Tax data for California is not yet available.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
