2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Jose, CA vs Bakersfield, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or is it cheaper to live in San Jose?
- Bakersfield is 56.8% less expensive than San Jose.

Which city has more affordable housing, Bakersfield or San Jose?
- Bakersfield housing costs are 75.1% less expensive than San Jose housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Jose or is Health Care more affordable in Bakersfield.
- Health related expenses are 14.9% less in Bakersfield.
 San Jose, CABakersfield, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.8100
 Food & Groceries113.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock91.6100
 Housing428.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$349,300$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.6100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for San Jose    90 Reviews

I've lived in west San Jose/Cambrian, between Los Gatos and Almaden SJ since 1997. This side of town somehow avoided the erosion of the American dream. Houses are  More

   |    Reply

I lived in San Jose for 40 years. That’s during the most exciting time when the Silicon Valley was booming with real technology and San Jose was ranked as the safest big  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in San Jose, CA for 25 years. This city is being over run with crime and gangs. The cost of living is very high. Granted, you are so close to mountains,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Jose

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Bakersfield


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.