Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Bakersfield?

Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Bakersfield?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $40,000 in Bakersfield.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Bakersfield?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bakersfield under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Bakersfield Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Bakersfield

California

$1,330/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,330 in Bakersfield, CA. Overall, Bakersfield, CA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $77,397 in Bakersfield, CA — about 6% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Bakersfield, CA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,027

+38% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,007

+36% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,233

+28% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,656

+6% in Bakersfield, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$347,300

+17% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$77,397

+6% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$47,470

+7% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

31.9 yr

+2.1 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

60.1%

+13.8 pp in Bakersfield, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

23.3%

+35.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

24.1 min

+2.7 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

556.8

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,488.9

+30% in Atlanta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

64.0°F

+1.4°F in Bakersfield, CA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

8.0 in

+41.7 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.40/gal

+40% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$1.75

+30% in Atlanta, GA

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs GET Bus (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

33.3

+110% in Bakersfield, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.72

+38% in Atlanta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Bakersfield, CA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Bakersfield, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Bakersfield, CA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Bakersfield, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Bakersfield, CA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / CA)

7.25%

+3.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

13.30%

+8.1 pp in CA

Atlanta vs Bakersfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Bakersfield?: Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Bakersfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $40,000 in Bakersfield.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Bakersfield?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bakersfield under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).