CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Bakersfield, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Atlanta is slightly cheaper than Bakersfield — 0.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $80,600 in Bakersfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.6%
Atlanta
111
Bakersfield
90.3
🛒 Groceries+4.8%
Atlanta
100.4
Bakersfield
105.2
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Atlanta
101.5
Bakersfield
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Atlanta
91.9
Bakersfield
95.3
Utilities+64.6%
Atlanta
96.2
Bakersfield
158.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bakersfield, CA
$80,600
$600 more needed in Bakersfield

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 1.0080. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Bakersfield, CA

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
90.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Atlanta has 18.6% lower housing costs compared to Bakersfield.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Bakersfield, CA

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
Population
384,145
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareLogisticsManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Bakersfield, CA
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.