Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Bakersfield, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 19.9% cheaper than Bakersfield, CA. This translates to saving $1489 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Bakersfield, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bakersfield, CA, you'd need approximately $132,133.645 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bakersfield, CA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 44.1% cheaper than in Bakersfield, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,013/month in Bakersfield, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bakersfield, CA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $1489 per month, or $17866 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bakersfield, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bakersfield, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oxnard, CA area

Current salary in Bakersfield, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.5K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.1K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 19.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,489

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Bakersfield, CA

Population:413K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$343K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:80

Median Home:$263K

Bakersfield, CA

The Golden State

413K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 413K residents.

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bakersfield, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Bakersfield, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,670/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $1,617less	44.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,660/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $294less	17.7%
🏥Healthcare	$484/mo	$607/mo	↑ $124more	25.6%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$969/mo	↑ $57.88more	6.4%
📦Other	$1,519/mo	$1,557/mo	↑ $37.56more	2.5%
⚡All Utilities	$489/mo	$464/mo	↓ $24.33less	5.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 44.1%

Bakersfield, CA

$3,670

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$1,617

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 17.7%

Bakersfield, CA

$1,660

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$294

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 25.6%

Bakersfield, CA

$484

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$124

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.4%

Bakersfield, CA

$911

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$57.88

📦Other

↑ 2.5%

Bakersfield, CA

$1,519

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$37.56

⚡All Utilities

↓ 5.0%

Bakersfield, CA

$489

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$24.33

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Bakersfield, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$775

To$1,020

↑ $245

1 Bed

From$778

To$1,100

↑ $322

2 Bed

From$1,013

To$1,315

↑ $302

3 Bed

From$1,409

To$1,575

↑ $166

Bakersfield, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,020–$1,710/mo

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,790/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,733

Monthly in Bakersfield, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$1,716

Difference

Home Values

Bakersfield

Columbus

$343K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -0.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +40.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$289K - $468K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 23% less expensive than Bakersfield

Calculate payment - Bakersfield Calculate payment - Columbus

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $6.2K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$517

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.1%

Rate difference

Bakersfield, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Columbus, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Bakersfield, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.