Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 110 mi and about 2h 8m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
110 mi Β· 2h 8m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5 TRUCK, CA 99, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Bakersfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 100.886 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.257 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 90.291 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 100.886, putting Bakersfield roughly 11.2% below Los Angeles on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Bakersfield: 11.2% below Los Angeles on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Bakersfield -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 6.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 408,366 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $77,397 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.2 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bakersfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 39,670 | $33,500 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 36,890 | $33,490 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,910 | $44,030 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,340 | $45,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 28,110 | $33,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Bakersfield average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Bakersfield sees only 6.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Bakersfield, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 110 mi and the route typically takes 2h 8m via I 5 TRUCK and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Bakersfield compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,047 in Bakersfield vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Bakersfield compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 330,270 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Bakersfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Bakersfield more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bakersfield is 11.2% lower than Los Angeles (100.886 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Bakersfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 110 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Bakersfield, CA.