Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Washington?

Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $75,000 in Washington.

Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Washington?

Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bakersfield vs Washington Cost of Living 2026

Bakersfield

California

$1,330/mo est.

Washington

District of Columbia

$2,130/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 $2,130 in Washington, DC. Overall, Bakersfield, CA is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,397 in Bakersfield, CA and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 27% higher in Washington, DC. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bakersfield, CA

Washington, DC

Rent

Studio

$1,027

$1,763

+72% in Washington, DC

1 Bedroom

$1,007

$1,885

+87% in Washington, DC

2 Bedroom

$1,233

$1,949

+58% in Washington, DC

3 Bedroom

$1,656

$2,249

+36% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$347,300

$724,600

+109% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income

$77,397

$106,287

+37% in Washington, DC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,470

$71,060

+50% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.9 yr

34.9 yr

+3.0 yr in Washington, DC

Homeownership

60.1%

41.1%

+19.0 pp in Bakersfield, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

23.3%

63.6%

+40.3 pp in Washington, DC

Avg Commute

24.1 min

30.3 min

+6.2 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

556.8

936

+68% in Washington, DC

Property Crime

2,488.7

3,627.1

+46% in Washington, DC

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

58.2°F

+5.8°F in Bakersfield, CA

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

39.7 in

+31.7 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.91/gal

$4.30/gal

+27% in Bakersfield, CA

Area: California vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

$2.00

+14% in Washington, DC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

25.0

+25% in Bakersfield, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$18.01

+13% in Bakersfield, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Bakersfield, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Bakersfield, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Bakersfield, CA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Bakersfield, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Bakersfield, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Bakersfield, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / DC)

7.25%

+1.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

10.75%

+2.6 pp in CA

Bakersfield vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Washington?: Bakersfield, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bakersfield than in Washington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bakersfield versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Bakersfield or Washington?: Bakersfield is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% 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).