Living Cost Compare
Bakersfield

California

$1,340/mo est.

vs
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Bakersfield, CA is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield, CA and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 25% higher in Overland Park, KS. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bakersfield, CA
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$1,027
$1,270
+24% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,007
$1,224
+22% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,233
$1,589
+29% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,656
$1,828
+10% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$347,300
$384,400
+11% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$77,397
$103,838
+34% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,470
$50,820
+7% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.9 yr
38.6 yr
+6.7 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
60.1%
61.5%
+1.4 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
23.3%
62.9%
+39.6 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
24.1 min
19.9 min
+4.2 min in Bakersfield, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
556.8
188.4
+66% in Bakersfield, CA
Property Crime
2,488.9
1,790.5
+28% in Bakersfield, CA

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
55.2°F
+8.8°F in Bakersfield, CA
Annual Precipitation
8.0 in
40.0 in
+32.0 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.52/gal
$3.85/gal
+30% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: California vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
34.7
15.7
+55% in Bakersfield, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.33
$25.12
+24% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Bakersfield, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.66
+19% in Bakersfield, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Bakersfield, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Overland Park, KS
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Bakersfield, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / KS)
7.25%
6.5%
+0.8 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
5.58%
+7.7 pp in CA

Bakersfield vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Overland Park?
Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bakersfield than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Overland Park?
Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).