St. Paul vs Bakersfield
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
St. Paul
Bakersfield
💡 The Verdict
St. Paul and Bakersfield have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Minnesota salaries · California salaries
Living in St. Paul vs Bakersfield
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Paul has a housing index of 98 while Bakersfield sits at 96 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Paul costs $260,000 compared to $310,000 in Bakersfield, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in St. Paul versus $1,200 in Bakersfield.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: St. Paul scores 103 while Bakersfield scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in St. Paul (105) are higher than Bakersfield (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in St. Paul is $57,718 compared to $57,548 in Bakersfield. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: St. Paul vs Bakersfield
If you are considering a move between St. Paul (index: 100) and Bakersfield (index: 101), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. St. Paul is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in St. Paul can afford $1,347/month, while the median household in Bakersfield can afford $1,343/month. With median homes at $260,000 in St. Paul versus $310,000 in Bakersfield, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.
Renting vs buying: At $1,300/month in St. Paul and $1,200/month in Bakersfield, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: St. Paul (100) vs Bakersfield (101)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Paul at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Bakersfield at 101 is 1% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
St. Paul and Bakersfield land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (100 vs 101), so the overall cost picture is similar. Utilities shows the widest single-category margin at 97 versus 106, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between St. Paul and Bakersfield. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with St. Paul at 98 and Bakersfield at 96 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $260,000 and $310,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: St. Paul has an edge in utilities and transportation, while Bakersfield is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.
For renters: With median rents of $1,300/month in St. Paul and $1,200/month in Bakersfield, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $50,000 difference in median home prices between St. Paul and Bakersfield translates to roughly $3,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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