CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Glendale, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
AZ
Glendale
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Bakersfield is slightly cheaper than Glendale — 2.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $81,900 in Glendale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+34.2%
Bakersfield
90.3
Glendale
121.2
🛒 Groceries9.7%
Bakersfield
105.2
Glendale
95
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Bakersfield
105.3
Glendale
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Bakersfield
95.3
Glendale
98.8
Utilities41.1%
Bakersfield
158.3
Glendale
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bakersfield to see what you'd need to earn in Glendale to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Glendale, AZ
$81,900
$1,900 more needed in Glendale

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0238. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
90.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Glendale, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Glendale has 34.2% higher housing costs compared to Bakersfield.

Income & Job Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
Population
384,145
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareLogisticsManufacturing

Glendale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
248,325
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailManufacturingTourismGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bakersfield, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Glendale, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.