How much does it cost to rent in Bakersfield, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Bakersfield, CA is $1,865. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Bakersfield cheaper than other California cities?

Bakersfield is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #362 out of 387 cities at $1,865/mo.

When was Bakersfield rent data last updated?

Bakersfield rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Alex Jackson / Unsplash

City Report · CA

Bakersfield

Name: Average Rent Prices in Bakersfield, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 411,986·362nd most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Bakersfield, CA

Median rent (all units)

$1,865/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.3%

Month-over-Month

-4.7%

vs US Median

-$100

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Bakersfield · $1,865

More expensive than 50% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Bakersfield's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,865/mo

Expected by trend

$2,064/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bakersfield's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,249

1 BR

$1,257

2 BR

$1,629

3 BR

$2,284

4 BR+

$2,737

Research median

$1,629/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,380/yr

At $1,865/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 0.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Bakersfield, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 23.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

411,986

Median income

$80,540

Median age

32.1

Renters

39.4%

Age distribution

29.2%

25.3%

24.5%

Under 1829.2%

18–3425.3%

35–5424.5%

55–649.7%

65+11.3%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

41.6%

54.7%

White41.6%

Black6.1%

Hispanic54.7%

Asian8.1%

Education (25+)

18.2%

26.3%

31.9%

23.6%

No HS diploma18.2%

HS diploma26.3%

Some college31.9%

Bachelor's+23.6%

Housing tenure

60.6%

39.4%

Owner60.6%

Renter39.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bakersfield, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,390 → $1,865

up 34.2%

Income

$69,014 → $80,540

up 16.7%

Population

398,756 → 411,986

up 3.3%

Renter share

40.1% → 39.4%

-0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

22.9% → 23.6%

+0.7 pts

Median age

31.3 → 32.1

+0.8 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Bakersfield, CA paid around $1,390 a month. That figure now sits near $1,865, up 34.2% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $69,014 in 2021 to $80,540 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Bakersfield, CA adding about 13,230 residents over the five-year window, up 3.3% on net. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Bakersfield, CA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Bakersfield

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View Bakersfield rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bakersfield on your salary?

At $1,865/mo, how Bakersfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 20.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 28.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 24.5% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 13.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 10.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 33.4% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 27.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Bakersfield rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bakersfield. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bakersfield

About renting in Bakersfield, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bakersfield is $1,865/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,249/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,629/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,257/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,284/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($80,540/yr), Bakersfield ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bakersfield an affordable city for renters?

Bakersfield is considered affordable for renters. At $1,865/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($80,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bakersfield falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bakersfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $75,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,865/mo in Bakersfield. The local median household income is $80,540/yr, meaning the typical Bakersfield household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bakersfield?

Rent in Bakersfield has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Bakersfield neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bakersfield are 93301 ($1,291/mo), 93304 ($1,437/mo), and 93308 ($1,564/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bakersfield is $1,865/mo.

How does Bakersfield rent compare to other cities in California?

Bakersfield is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #362 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,865/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bakersfield?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bakersfield ($1,865/mo): Taft ($1,243/mo), Oildale ($1,441/mo).

What percentage of Bakersfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.4% of Bakersfield households are renters, while 60.6% are owner-occupied. Bakersfield leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bakersfield rent compare to the national average?

Bakersfield's median rent of $1,865/mo is $100 (5%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #362 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,865/mo, rent takes ~28% of Bakersfield's median household income ($80,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bakersfield 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Bakersfield affordability calculator →

Nearby cities