2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Vista, CA vs Bakersfield, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or is it cheaper to live in Vista?
- Bakersfield is 35.6% less expensive than Vista.

Which city has more affordable housing, Bakersfield or Vista?
- Bakersfield housing costs are 54.9% less expensive than Vista housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Vista or is Health Care more affordable in Bakersfield.
- Health related expenses are 2.9% more in Bakersfield.
 Vista, CABakersfield, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.8100
 Food & Groceries108.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock91.6100
 Housing236.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$349,300$338,100
 Utilities102  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.6100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Vista    21 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I bought a house in Vista, CA, and lived there since 2013-2017. My kids and I loved that area (Shadow Ridge). People are friendly, down-to-earth, not snobby. I would  More

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I've lived here 3 years and it has an unbeatable climate. Close to everything you could want. A renovated downtown and access to mass transit. Very nice place, friendly  More

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Truly a hidden gem - I was nervous after first moving since it seemed far from San Diego, but my concerns have been fully alleviated in just a couple months of time in  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 5 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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