Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
8% cheaper
Buffalo is 8% more affordable than Bakersfield. A $75,000 salary in Bakersfield is equivalent to $69,059 in Buffalo.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Bakersfield has a housing index of 96 while Buffalo sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Bakersfield costs $310,000 compared to $175,000 in Buffalo, a difference of $135,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Bakersfield versus $1,000 in Buffalo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Bakersfield scores 100 while Buffalo scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Bakersfield (99) match Buffalo (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Bakersfield is $57,548 compared to $40,858 in Buffalo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Buffalo.
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