2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Bakersfield, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Bakersfield is 5.6% less expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Bakersfield or Chicago?
- Bakersfield housing costs are 6.9% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Bakersfield.
- Health related expenses are 4.1% more in Bakersfield.
 Chicago, ILBakersfield, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.8100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock91.6100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$349,300$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.6100
 Miscellaneous139.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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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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