Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Bakersfield, CA?

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

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Bakersfield, CA?

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

How does housing cost compare between Bakersfield, CA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 42.6% cheaper than in Bakersfield, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,013/month in Bakersfield, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bakersfield, CA to Kansas City, MO?

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

Bakersfield, CA vs Kansas City, MO: 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 Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.1K in Kansas City, MO

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

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:80

Median Home:$257K

Bakersfield, CA

The Golden State

413K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Kansas City, MO

The Show-Me State

508K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 508K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bakersfield, CA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Bakersfield, CA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,670/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $1,565less	42.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,660/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $444less	26.8%
🏥Healthcare	$484/mo	$607/mo	↑ $124more	25.6%
📦Other	$1,519/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $87.78more	5.8%
⚡All Utilities	$489/mo	$535/mo	↑ $46.70more	9.6%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$949/mo	↑ $37.90more	4.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 42.6%

Bakersfield, CA

$3,670

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$1,565

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 26.8%

Bakersfield, CA

$1,660

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$444

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 25.6%

Bakersfield, CA

$484

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$124

📦Other

↑ 5.8%

Bakersfield, CA

$1,519

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$87.78

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.6%

Bakersfield, CA

$489

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$46.70

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.2%

Bakersfield, CA

$911

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$37.90

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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$1,180

↑ $405

1 Bed

From$778

To$1,280

↑ $502

2 Bed

From$1,013

To$1,460

↑ $447

3 Bed

From$1,409

To$1,900

↑ $491

Bakersfield, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,020–$1,710/mo

Kansas City, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $900–$1,800/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

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$1,713

Difference

Home Values

Bakersfield

Kansas City

$343K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -0.6%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +40.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$289K - $468K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 25% less expensive than Bakersfield

Calculate payment - Bakersfield Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$225

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

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

Kansas City, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Bakersfield, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Kansas City, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 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.