2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Bakersfield, CA vs Surprise, AZ

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Surprise or is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield?
- Surprise is 13.2% more expensive than Bakersfield.

Which city has more affordable housing, Surprise or Bakersfield?
- Surprise housing costs are 15.5% more expensive than Bakersfield housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Bakersfield or is Health Care more affordable in Surprise.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% more in Surprise.
 Bakersfield, CASurprise, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock113.0100
 Food & Groceries99.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.5100
 Housing106.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$413,400$338,100
 Utilities112  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock104.5100
 Miscellaneous111.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Bakersfield    75 Reviews

I am a millennial, born and raised here. As someone who wrestled with staying for years, there are a lot of valid reasons to not come to Bakersfield. Air quality, summer  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have lived here all of my life. 40+ years. It used to be fun and kinda safe but now it is so scary to go outside. We are literally a homeless dumping ground and there  More

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I moved here from Seattle 25 years ago, when it had a population of 200,000, and practically the only place to get coffee was a place called “Duke’s Ranch”. Why did I  More

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Reviews for Surprise    52 Reviews

I have lived in Surprise, Az. For the past 21 years. One of the best cities to live in Az. From the police department to maintaining the streets & freeways. One thing I  More

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I am an Arizona native - 55 years - and have lived in Surprise since 2003. I wouldn't live anywhere else! I have watched this place grow and prosper. It is very family  More

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Over 11 years ago

The city of surprise is a beautiful place. It would not be a good place to live however. They have a young eager police force. You are taking a BIG risk driving  More

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