CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Greenville, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Greenville is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $74,000 in Greenville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.0%
Bakersfield
90.3
Greenville
76.8
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Bakersfield
105.2
Greenville
96.3
🚗 Transportation2.0%
Bakersfield
105.3
Greenville
103.2
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Bakersfield
95.3
Greenville
93.4
Utilities43.9%
Bakersfield
158.3
Greenville
88.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Greenville, SC
$74,000
$6,000 less needed in Greenville

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9247. 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×

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Bakersfield has 15.0% lower housing costs compared to Greenville.

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

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

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)

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.