What it actually costs to live in
Kern County, CA.
Living wage breakdown for Kern County, California — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $20.55 | $42,739 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $31.96 | $66,484 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $42.83 | $89,084 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $53.46 | $111,204 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $27.64 | $57,501 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $39.20 | $81,545 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $49.68 | $103,336 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $59.92 | $124,637 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $12,895 | $1,075 |
| Food | $5,538 | $462 |
| Medical | $4,284 | $357 |
| Transportation | $6,406 | $534 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,617 | $218 |
| Personal & Misc | $3,306 | $276 |
| Taxes | $7,693 | $641 |
| Total | $42,739 | $3,562 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$20.55/hr
Minimum wage$16.50/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Kern County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.