CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Visalia, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Visalia
99.8
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Visalia is slightly cheaper than Bakersfield — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $79,100 in Visalia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.9%
Bakersfield
90.3
Visalia
84.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bakersfield
105.2
Visalia
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Bakersfield
105.3
Visalia
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Bakersfield
95.3
Visalia
95.3
Utilities1.2%
Bakersfield
158.3
Visalia
156.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Visalia, CA
$79,100
$900 less needed in Visalia

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9891. 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×

Visalia, CA

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
84.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Bakersfield has 6.9% lower housing costs compared to Visalia.

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

Visalia, CA

Median Household Income
$73,100
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
Population
141,384
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Visalia, CA
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.