CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 8.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $73,400 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.3%
Bakersfield
90.3
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Bakersfield
105.2
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Bakersfield
105.3
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Bakersfield
95.3
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities54.6%
Bakersfield
158.3
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$73,400
$6,600 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9177. 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×

Knoxville, TN

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
82.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Bakersfield has 8.3% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

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

Knoxville, TN

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
190,740
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingTourismGovernment

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)

Knoxville, TN
3.4×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.