2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bakersfield, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Bakersfield, California as of July 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $1,865 and +2% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Bakersfield.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shafter, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,380 | $-249 (-15%) |
| Taft, CA | 30.9 mi | $1,140 | $-489 (-30%) |
| Tehachapi, CA | 39.8 mi | $1,440 | $-189 (-12%) |
| Porterville, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,390 | $-239 (-15%) |
| Rosamond, CA | 57.8 mi | $2,290 | +$661 (+41%) |
| Ojai, CA | 60.3 mi | $2,260 | +$631 (+39%) |
| Tulare, CA | 61.8 mi | $1,490 | $-139 (-9%) |
| Castaic, CA | 62.6 mi | $2,770 | +$1,141 (+70%) |
| Exeter, CA | 64.9 mi | $1,510 | $-119 (-7%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 65.9 mi | $2,180 | +$551 (+34%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 71.6 mi | $3,460 | +$1,831 (+112%) |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA | 71.7 mi | $3,590 | +$1,961 (+120%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Bakersfield — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Bakersfield?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Bakersfield, California is $1,629 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $1,865.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Bakersfield?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $65,160 ($5,430/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.33/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bakersfield expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bakersfield's 2-bedroom median of $1,629 is +2% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 48th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bakersfield rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Bakersfield ranks #36 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Bakersfield?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Shafter ($1,380), Taft ($1,140), Tehachapi ($1,440).