Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Bakersfield, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 19.0% cheaper than Bakersfield, CA. This translates to saving $1422 per month.

What salary do I need in San Antonio, TX to live like I do in Bakersfield, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bakersfield, CA, you'd need approximately $132,935.13 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bakersfield, CA and San Antonio, TX?

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 42.8% cheaper than in Bakersfield, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $1,013/month in Bakersfield, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bakersfield, CA to San Antonio, TX?

Moving from Bakersfield, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $1422 per month, or $17065 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bakersfield, CA vs San Antonio, TX: 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 $1.4K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.9K in San Antonio, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 19.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,422

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.1K

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

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:81

Median Home:$215K

Bakersfield, CA

The Golden State

413K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

San Antonio, TX

The Lone Star State

1.5M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 1.5M residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bakersfield, CA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Bakersfield, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,670/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $1,570less	42.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,660/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $373less	22.5%
📦Other	$1,519/mo	$1,647/mo	↑ $128more	8.4%
🏥Healthcare	$484/mo	$527/mo	↑ $43.04more	8.9%
⚡All Utilities	$489/mo	$496/mo	↑ $6.81more	1.4%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$913/mo	↑ $1.92more	0.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 42.8%

Bakersfield, CA

$3,670

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$1,570

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 22.5%

Bakersfield, CA

$1,660

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$373

less

📦Other

↑ 8.4%

Bakersfield, CA

$1,519

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$128

🏥Healthcare

↑ 8.9%

Bakersfield, CA

$484

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$43.04

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.4%

Bakersfield, CA

$489

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$6.81

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.2%

Bakersfield, CA

$911

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$1.92

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$775

To$1,110

↑ $335

1 Bed

From$778

To$1,210

↑ $432

2 Bed

From$1,013

To$1,470

↑ $457

3 Bed

From$1,409

To$1,890

↑ $481

Bakersfield, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,020–$1,710/mo

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/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

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$1,763

Difference

Home Values

Bakersfield

San Antonio

$343K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -0.6%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +40.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$289K - $468K

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 37% less expensive than Bakersfield

Calculate payment - Bakersfield Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$886

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

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

San Antonio, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Bakersfield, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 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.