CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Bakersfield is slightly cheaper than Providence — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $80,700 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+15.1%
Bakersfield
90.3
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries7.7%
Bakersfield
105.2
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
Bakersfield
105.3
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.0%
Bakersfield
95.3
Providence
97.2
Utilities6.0%
Bakersfield
158.3
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$80,700
$700 more needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0089. 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×

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Providence has 15.1% 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

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

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)

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.