CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Grand Junction, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableCO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Grand Junction is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $75,700 in Grand Junction. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.3%
Bakersfield
90.3
Grand Junction
86.4
🛒 Groceries8.7%
Bakersfield
105.2
Grand Junction
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Bakersfield
105.3
Grand Junction
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Bakersfield
95.3
Grand Junction
94.8
Utilities47.4%
Bakersfield
158.3
Grand Junction
83.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Junction, CO
$75,700
$4,300 less needed in Grand Junction

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9465. 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×

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Bakersfield has 4.3% lower housing costs compared to Grand Junction.

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

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

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)

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.