CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Tallahassee, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Tallahassee
93.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Tallahassee is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $74,400 in Tallahassee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.1%
Bakersfield
90.3
Tallahassee
78.5
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Bakersfield
105.2
Tallahassee
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Bakersfield
105.3
Tallahassee
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Bakersfield
95.3
Tallahassee
93.9
Utilities44.7%
Bakersfield
158.3
Tallahassee
87.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tallahassee, FL
$74,400
$5,600 less needed in Tallahassee

Formula: salary × (93.9 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9306. 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×

Tallahassee, FL

Median Home Price
$273,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
78.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Bakersfield has 13.1% lower housing costs compared to Tallahassee.

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

Tallahassee, FL

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
196,169
Top Industries
GovernmentEducationHealthcareRetailFinance

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)

Tallahassee, FL
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.