CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Louisville, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableKY
Louisville
93.1
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Louisville is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 7.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $73,800 in Louisville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.0%
Bakersfield
90.3
Louisville
78.6
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Bakersfield
105.2
Louisville
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.5%
Bakersfield
105.3
Louisville
101.6
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Bakersfield
95.3
Louisville
92
Utilities52.6%
Bakersfield
158.3
Louisville
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Louisville, KY
$73,800
$6,200 less needed in Louisville

Formula: salary × (93.1 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9227. 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×

Louisville, KY

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Bakersfield has 13.0% lower housing costs compared to Louisville.

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

Louisville, KY

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
633,045
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsEducationAgriculture

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)

Louisville, KY
4.3×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.