Bakersfield vs Arlington: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Bakersfield, CA and Arlington, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Arlington, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 404,321 | 393,469 |
| Median household income | $73,827 | $71,736 |
| Median home value | $320,600 | $251,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,283 | $1,297 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Bakersfield, CA and Arlington, TX comes down to what you value most. Arlington has the lower median home value, and Bakersfield has the lower median rent.
Bakersfield has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Bakersfield or Arlington?
- By median home value, Arlington is the cheaper of the two ($251,300 vs $320,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Bakersfield or Arlington?
- Median household income is $73,827 in Bakersfield versus $71,736 in Arlington, per the US Census Bureau.