Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Bakersfield and Mesa have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Bakersfield has a housing index of 96 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Bakersfield costs $310,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Bakersfield versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Bakersfield scores 100 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Bakersfield (99) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Bakersfield is $57,548 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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