CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs New Haven, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
CT
New Haven
104.6
overall index
$1,975/mo rent

Bakersfield is slightly cheaper than New Haven — 3.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $82,900 in New Haven. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+37.7%
Bakersfield
90.3
New Haven
124.3
🛒 Groceries7.5%
Bakersfield
105.2
New Haven
97.3
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Bakersfield
105.3
New Haven
107.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Bakersfield
95.3
New Haven
97.5
Utilities8.5%
Bakersfield
158.3
New Haven
144.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New Haven, CT
$82,900
$2,900 more needed in New Haven

Formula: salary × (104.6 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0367. 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×

New Haven, CT

Median Home Price
$386,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
124.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

New Haven has 37.7% 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

New Haven, CT

Median Household Income
$80,700
Per Capita Income
$46,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
130,250
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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)

New Haven, CT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.