Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Bakersfield, CA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Gulfport?

Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Bakersfield vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Bakersfield

California

$1,340/mo est.

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,340 in Bakersfield, CA versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bakersfield, CA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield, CA and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 41% higher in Bakersfield, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bakersfield, CA

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,027

$958

+7% in Bakersfield, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,007

$849

+16% in Bakersfield, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,233

$990

+20% in Bakersfield, CA

3 Bedroom

$1,656

$1,171

+29% in Bakersfield, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$347,300

$167,100

+52% in Bakersfield, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,397

$46,044

+41% in Bakersfield, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,470

$43,470

+8% in Bakersfield, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.9 yr

36.7 yr

+4.8 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

60.1%

53.1%

+7.0 pp in Bakersfield, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

23.3%

22.3%

+1.0 pp in Bakersfield, CA

Avg Commute

24.1 min

21.8 min

+2.3 min in Bakersfield, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

556.8

623.5

+12% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

2,488.9

3,881.3

+56% in Gulfport, MS

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

64.0°F

67.6°F

+3.6°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

64.7 in

+56.7 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.52/gal

$3.62/gal

+34% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: California vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

34.7

14.9

+57% in Bakersfield, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.33

$29.04

+43% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Bakersfield, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Bakersfield, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Bakersfield, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Bakersfield, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Bakersfield, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MS)

7.25%

+0.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

4.00%

+9.3 pp in CA

Bakersfield vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Bakersfield, CA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bakersfield than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Gulfport?: Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).