CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Pueblo, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableCO
Pueblo
91.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Pueblo is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $72,800 in Pueblo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing21.0%
Bakersfield
90.3
Pueblo
71.3
🛒 Groceries8.7%
Bakersfield
105.2
Pueblo
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Bakersfield
105.3
Pueblo
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Bakersfield
95.3
Pueblo
94.8
Utilities48.3%
Bakersfield
158.3
Pueblo
81.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pueblo, CO
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in Pueblo

Formula: salary × (91.8 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9098. 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×

Pueblo, CO

Median Home Price
$281,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
71.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Bakersfield has 21.0% lower housing costs compared to Pueblo.

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

Pueblo, CO

Median Household Income
$65,200
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
111,876
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetailAgriculture

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)

Pueblo, CO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.