Bakersfield, CA Rental Market
Bakersfield is California's oil and gas capital, anchoring Kern County's energy industry while serving as a major agricultural processing center for the southern San Joaquin Valley. The city is very affordable by California standards — both rents and home values are among the lowest of any large city in the state — and supports a largely blue-collar workforce in energy, agriculture, and logistics. Bakersfield offers some of the most accessible entry points for rental investors in California.
Get a rent estimate for an address in BakersfieldAverage Rent in Bakersfield, CA
$1,350
per month · 2026-06
Market Score
Key Facts — Bakersfield, CA Rental Market
- Average rent in Bakersfield, CA:$1,350/mo
- Median rent:$1,242/mo
- Rent range:$675 – $2,950/mo
- Most common rental (2 bedrooms):$1,200/mo
- Active listings:980
- Avg days to lease:33 days
- Year-over-year change:+3.0%
- Median home value:$285,000
- Est. gross annual yield:5.7%
- Data as of:2026-06
Rent by Bedroom in Bakersfield, CA
Average monthly rent for each bedroom type based on current active listings in Bakersfield.
| Bedroom Type | Avg Rent/mo |
|---|---|
1 Bedroom | $975/mo |
2 Bedrooms | $1,200/mo |
3 Bedrooms | $1,500/mo |
4 Bedrooms | $1,875/mo |
5 Bedrooms | $2,125/mo |
Bakersfield Rental Market Statistics
Key indicators from the current Bakersfield, CA rental market.
980
Available now in Bakersfield
33
From list to lease
$1.04
Average across listings
1,300 sq ft
Typical rental size
$675 – $2,950
Min to max active listings
+3.0%
Avg rent vs. prior year
Investing in Bakersfield, CA Rental Properties
Estimated returns based on current market rents and median home values. Perform full due diligence before investing.
Median Home Value
$285,000
Typical purchase price in Bakersfield
Est. Gross Annual Yield
5.7%
Before expenses & vacancy
Avg Monthly Income
$1,350
At average market rent
Gross yield = (avg rent × 12) ÷ median home value. Does not include expenses, financing, vacancies, or management fees. Analyze a specific property in Bakersfield for a full cash-flow breakdown including all costs.
Bakersfield, CA Rental Market FAQ
Common questions about renting and investing in Bakersfield, CA.
What is the average rent in Bakersfield, CA?
The average rent in Bakersfield, CA is $1,350 per month as of 2026. One-bedroom units average $975/mo, two-bedrooms average $1,200/mo, and three-bedroom homes average $1,500/mo. Bakersfield is the most affordable large city in California for renters, with average rents roughly 55% below the Bay Area.
Is Bakersfield, CA a good place to invest in rental property?
Bakersfield offers a 5.7% gross yield with a median home value near $285,000 — the lowest entry cost of any city in our California coverage. The oil and gas industry, despite energy market volatility, provides a significant blue-collar employment base, supplemented by agriculture, trucking, and Dignity Health's hospital network. California statewide tenant protections apply; Bakersfield does not have local rent control, making landlord-tenant operations more straightforward than in many larger CA cities.
How competitive is the Bakersfield, CA rental market?
Bakersfield averages 33 days on market with 980 active listings — a moderately competitive market. Demand is driven by oil field workers, agricultural processing employees, and a growing logistics sector along Highway 99. The market moves more slowly than coastal California, giving landlords adequate time for tenant screening without extended vacancy.
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