9 Most Affordable Bakersfield Suburbs to Live In

“California’s Country Music Capital,” Bakersfield, has risen in popularity for those looking to reside in Central California and be relatively close to Los Angeles. Bakersfield is known for many things, including country music, agriculture, and oil production.

If you’re looking to buy a home in Bakersfield, expect to see the median home sale price coming in at $379,500 and the average sale price per square foot at $208. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment in Bakersfield, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,760.

If those numbers are out of your budget, don’t worry. To help you find the right place to buy or rent a home, we’ve gathered a list of the 9 best affordable Bakersfield suburbs to check out. That way, you can explore all Bakersfield has to offer without the price of living there. 

#1: Lindsay

Median home price: $193,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $165 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 70 minutes
Lindsay, CA homes for sale
Lindsay, CA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of nearly $200K less than Bakersfield, Lindsay is the most affordable Bakersfield suburb on our list. About 12,700 people live in this suburban area, so this can be a great choice for those wanting to live in a smaller town. If you’re considering moving to this area, make sure to take a walk through the historic downtown district and admire the Victorian architecture.

#2: Taft

Median home price: $207,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $162 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 40 minutes
Taft, CA homes for sale
Taft, CA apartments for rent

Taft takes the second spot on our list. Only 40 minutes from the city center, you can visit the California Living Museum in just a drive. Make sure to visit the Taft Oil Museum or check out the murals throughout the city. When living in this suburb of 8,500 people, you can also spend time exploring the charming downtown.

#3: McFarland

Median home price: $250,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $163 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 30 minutes
McFarland, CA homes for sale
McFarland, CA apartments for rent

Drive just 30 minutes away from Bakersfield, and you’ll reach McFarland, another great suburb. Even with a population of about 14,200, there are plenty of unique spots in McFarland. If you find yourself moving here, visit one of the parks.

#4: Lamont

Median home price: $266,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $202 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 20 minutes
Lamont, CA homes for sale
Lamont, CA apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than McFarland is the suburb of Lamont. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in this Bakersfield suburb, like visiting Bear Mountain Recreation or checking out one of the many local markets and restaurants. 

#5: Pixley

Median home price: $279,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $200 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 45 minutes
Pixley, CA homes for sale
Pixley, CA apartments for rent

About a 45-minute drive into the city, consider adding Pixley to your list of Bakersfield suburbs to check out. Home to 3,800 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain relatively close to Bakersfield without paying the price for a home in the city.

#6: Tulare

Median home price: $308,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $212 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 60 minutes
Tulare, CA homes for sale
Tulare, CA apartments for rent

A recognizable Bakersfield suburb is Tulare, where the home prices are about $50K less than in Bakersfield. With just about 77,000 people living in Tulare, it’s a great suburb to consider renting or buying a house. There are lots of activities in this suburb – you can visit the Tulare Historical Museum or shop at the Tulare Outlets, among many other local favorites.

#7: Delano

Median home price: $314,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $257 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 35 minutes
Delano, CA homes for sale
Delano, CA apartments for rent

Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Bakersfield suburbs is Delano, which is roughly a 35-minute drive into the city center. With a population of nearly 51,400, Delano is a great area to live in that’s smaller than Bakersfield.

#8: Tipton

Median home price: $328,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $179 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 55 minutes
Tipton, CA homes for sale
Tipton, CA apartments for rent

Just about 55 minutes away from the city center, you may just want to consider relocating to Tipton. About 2,500 people live in this suburb, but you’ll be surrounded by charming areas to explore in your free time.

#9: Porterville

Median home price: $328,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $209 
Driving distance from Bakersfield: 55 minutes
Porterville, CA homes for sale
Porterville, CA apartments for rent

If you’ve been living in Bakersfield for some time, you’ve maybe heard about the suburb of Porterville. About 62,600 people reside in Porterville, so you’ll have a fraction of Bakersfield’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Once moving to Porterville, visit the Porterville Museum or the Zalud House and go fishing or camping in Lake Success.

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Bakersfield and under a 70-minute drive from downtown Bakersfield. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.

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