El Centro, CA vs Bakersfield, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Bakersfield, CA is 6.0% more expensive than El Centro, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in El Centro works out to about $79,500 in Bakersfield, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 36.2% more in Bakersfield. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,822 a month in Bakersfield and $1,803 in El Centro, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $360,000 in Bakersfield and $382,000 in El Centro.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (5.0%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 36.2% higher in Bakersfield than in El Centro
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
All items El Centro, CA: 95.2 Bakersfield, CA: 100.9
Goods El Centro, CA: 105.2 Bakersfield, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) El Centro, CA: 66.3 Bakersfield, CA: 90.3
Utilities El Centro, CA: 157.2 Bakersfield, CA: 158.3
Other services El Centro, CA: 100.3 Bakersfield, CA: 100.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.2 | 100.9 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 66.3 | 90.3 |
| Utilities | 157.2 | 158.3 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | El Centro | Bakersfield | Bakersfield vs El Centro |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.2 | 100.9 | +6.0% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 66.3 | 90.3 | +36.2% |
| Utilities | 157.2 | 158.3 | +0.7% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,803 | $1,822 | +1.1% |
| Typical home value | $382,000 | $360,000 | −5.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in El Centro | $75,000 | $79,500 | +6.0% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between El Centro and Bakersfield has widened since 2008: 1.6 points then, 5.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 96.9 |
| 2009 | 96.2 | 100.3 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 98.2 |
| 2011 | 94.8 | 100.4 |
| 2012 | 94.0 | 101.1 |
| 2013 | 94.3 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 91.8 | 99.6 |
| 2015 | 94.5 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 95.7 | 96.5 |
| 2017 | 95.8 | 98.5 |
| 2018 | 92.8 | 101.7 |
| 2019 | 96.4 | 101.1 |
| 2020 | 96.9 | 100.3 |
| 2021 | 95.6 | 100.9 |
| 2022 | 100.0 | 104.5 |
| 2023 | 100.2 | 102.4 |
| 2024 | 95.2 | 100.9 |
Goods
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 99.9 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 98.5 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 98.6 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 95.0 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 97.1 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 104.6 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 102.0 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 72.5 | 97.2 |
| 2009 | 79.7 | 97.1 |
| 2010 | 80.6 | 96.1 |
| 2011 | 75.4 | 94.9 |
| 2012 | 81.4 | 97.0 |
| 2013 | 78.8 | 95.8 |
| 2014 | 66.9 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 68.5 | 92.9 |
| 2016 | 80.9 | 90.6 |
| 2017 | 70.0 | 92.1 |
| 2018 | 56.5 | 87.3 |
| 2019 | 67.8 | 89.4 |
| 2020 | 76.2 | 89.1 |
| 2021 | 67.0 | 92.4 |
| 2022 | 74.0 | 93.1 |
| 2023 | 77.7 | 88.0 |
| 2024 | 66.3 | 90.3 |
Utilities
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.9 | 100.6 |
| 2009 | 94.4 | 100.8 |
| 2010 | 104.6 | 111.8 |
| 2011 | 110.2 | 113.5 |
| 2012 | 106.4 | 116.9 |
| 2013 | 106.0 | 115.9 |
| 2014 | 105.6 | 121.0 |
| 2015 | 107.7 | 122.9 |
| 2016 | 120.2 | 118.6 |
| 2017 | 117.1 | 114.7 |
| 2018 | 121.4 | 124.5 |
| 2019 | 128.1 | 130.7 |
| 2020 | 131.9 | 134.9 |
| 2021 | 141.0 | 145.2 |
| 2022 | 146.0 | 149.4 |
| 2023 | 138.6 | 148.0 |
| 2024 | 157.2 | 158.3 |
Other services
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.8 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 102.5 |
| 2012 | 96.3 | 102.4 |
| 2013 | 99.0 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 98.7 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 99.1 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 95.3 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,822 in Bakersfield vs $1,803 in El Centro
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $975 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $982 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $981 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $982 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $993 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $997 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,006 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,006 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,021 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,035 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,043 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,044 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,060 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,075 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,085 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,095 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,116 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,136 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,149 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,158 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,161 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,187 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,246 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,265 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $1,296 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $1,346 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,407 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,467 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | – | $1,518 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | – | $1,581 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | – | $1,594 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | – | $1,586 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | – | $1,600 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,419 | $1,634 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,485 | $1,657 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,482 | $1,660 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,572 | $1,673 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,532 | $1,706 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,538 | $1,707 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,640 | $1,712 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,652 | $1,745 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,659 | $1,761 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,697 | $1,769 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,694 | $1,758 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,743 | $1,780 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,808 | $1,796 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,803 | $1,822 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $360,000 in Bakersfield vs $382,000 in El Centro
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- El Centro, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Bakersfield, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $175K | $180K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $181K | $183K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $183K | $185K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $190K | $190K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $194K | $193K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $197K | $194K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $198K | $195K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $201K | $198K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $204K | $201K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $210K | $203K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $212K | $205K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $216K | $209K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $218K | $214K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $222K | $217K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $223K | $220K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $223K | $222K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $229K | $226K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $237K | $229K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $240K | $231K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $247K | $234K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $248K | $238K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $251K | $241K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $258K | $247K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $263K | $258K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $270K | $269K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $279K | $283K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $290K | $295K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $298K | $305K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $305K | $320K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $312K | $335K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $312K | $337K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $308K | $332K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $313K | $328K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $319K | $333K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $324K | $341K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $328K | $344K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $334K | $349K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $340K | $355K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $343K | $358K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $349K | $361K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $354K | $363K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $357K | $362K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $365K | $360K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $373K | $360K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $379K | $362K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $380K | $361K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $382K | $360K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.