1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bakersfield, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bakersfield, California as of July 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $1,865 and +10% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Bakersfield
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bakersfield
Compare Bakersfield's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Bakersfield.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shafter, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,060 | $-197 (-16%) |
| Taft, CA | 30.9 mi | $880 | $-377 (-30%) |
| Tehachapi, CA | 39.8 mi | $1,110 | $-147 (-12%) |
| Porterville, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,060 | $-197 (-16%) |
| Rosamond, CA | 57.8 mi | $1,810 | +$553 (+44%) |
| Ojai, CA | 60.3 mi | $1,890 | +$633 (+50%) |
| Tulare, CA | 61.8 mi | $1,140 | $-117 (-9%) |
| Castaic, CA | 62.6 mi | $2,200 | +$943 (+75%) |
| Exeter, CA | 64.9 mi | $1,150 | $-107 (-9%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 65.9 mi | $1,810 | +$553 (+44%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 71.6 mi | $3,070 | +$1,813 (+144%) |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA | 71.7 mi | $2,850 | +$1,593 (+127%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Bakersfield — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Bakersfield?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Bakersfield, California is $1,257 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $1,865.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Bakersfield?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,280 ($4,190/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.17/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bakersfield expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bakersfield's 1-bedroom median of $1,257 is +10% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 40th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bakersfield rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Bakersfield ranks #35 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Bakersfield?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Shafter ($1,060), Taft ($880), Tehachapi ($1,110).