Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Providence?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% 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 Providence?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Providence?

Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Bakersfield vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Bakersfield

California

$1,330/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 2% 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 $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 14% higher in Bakersfield, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bakersfield, CA

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,027

$1,116

+9% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,007

$1,030

+2% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,233

$1,323

+7% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,656

$1,627

+2% in Bakersfield, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$347,300

$322,800

+7% in Bakersfield, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,397

$66,772

+14% in Bakersfield, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,470

$53,680

+13% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.9 yr

32.9 yr

+1.0 yr in Providence, RI

Homeownership

60.1%

41.2%

+18.9 pp in Bakersfield, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

23.3%

34.7%

+11.4 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

24.1 min

25.0 min

+0.9 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

556.8

282.4

+49% in Bakersfield, CA

Property Crime

2,488.9

1,665.6

+33% 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

51.6°F

+12.4°F in Bakersfield, CA

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

47.2 in

+39.1 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.86/gal

+28% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: California vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

29.5

+11% in Bakersfield, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$16.06

+22% in Bakersfield, CA

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

$1.92

+6% in Bakersfield, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Bakersfield, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / RI)

7.25%

+0.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

5.99%

+7.3 pp in CA

Bakersfield vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Providence?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% 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 Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Providence?: Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% 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).