Living Cost Compare
Bakersfield

California

$1,330/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,330 in Bakersfield, CA versus $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 14% 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 $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 19% higher in Bakersfield, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bakersfield, CA
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$1,027
$933
+9% in Bakersfield, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,007
$963
+4% in Bakersfield, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,233
$1,132
+8% in Bakersfield, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,656
$1,304
+21% in Bakersfield, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$347,300
$207,000
+40% in Bakersfield, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$77,397
$62,995
+19% in Bakersfield, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,470
$49,340
+4% in Indianapolis, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.9 yr
34.1 yr
+2.2 yr in Indianapolis, IN
Homeownership
60.1%
55.3%
+4.8 pp in Bakersfield, CA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
23.3%
34.2%
+10.9 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
24.1 min
24.3 min
+0.2 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
556.8
936.6
+68% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
2,488.7
3,351.7
+35% in Indianapolis, IN

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
53.2°F
+10.8°F in Bakersfield, CA
Annual Precipitation
8.0 in
42.4 in
+34.4 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.91/gal
$4.35/gal
+26% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: California vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.4
17.9
+46% in Bakersfield, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$12.49
+40% in Bakersfield, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.14
+5% in Bakersfield, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$1.79
+15% in Bakersfield, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$3.63
+61% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$6.97
+4% in Bakersfield, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$2.15
+1% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.63
+15% in Bakersfield, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / IN)
7.25%
7%
+0.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
2.95%
+10.4 pp in CA

Bakersfield vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Bakersfield, CA's $1,330, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bakersfield than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Indianapolis?
Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% 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).