Salary Needed to Live in Bakersfield as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $19,333/year to live comfortably in Bakersfield, CA — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$19,333
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$16,685
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,015
6% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Bakersfield

ExpenseBakersfieldNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$103$113-9%
🛒 Groceries$20$17+18%
⚡ Utilities$12$14-14%
🚗 Transportation$26$260%
🛡️ Car Insurance$163$215-24%
🏥 Health Insurance$46$54-15%
Internet$65$650%
Phone$85$850%
Dining & Social$300$3000%
Entertainment$120$1200%
Personal Care$75$750%
Total Monthly$1,015$1,084-6%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,015
Target savings (10%):$131/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,146
Effective tax rate:27%

Gross annual salary needed:$19,333

Other Household Types in Bakersfield

Couple (No Kids)
$27,167/yr
$1,381/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$58,966/yr
$2,850/mo expenses
Retiree
$20,082/yr
$1,138/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in BakersfieldCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a single person need in Bakersfield?
A single person needs approximately $19,333/year ($1,611/month gross) to live comfortably in Bakersfield with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Bakersfield?
A studio/1br in Bakersfield costs approximately $103/month, which is the largest single expense at 10% of the total budget.
Is Bakersfield affordable for a single person?
Yes, Bakersfield is 6% more affordable than the national average for a single person.
← Back to Bakersfield