Bakersfield is a large city of 404,321 in California, with a median household income of $73,827
and a 7.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 102 (US average = 100), which is
2% above the national average.
Strengths:
Bakersfield stands out for short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bakersfield is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bakersfield city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 102.2
Bakersfield's overall cost of living index is 102.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bakersfield costs roughly 2% more than the average American city.
Metric
Bakersfield, CA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$320,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,283
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$73,827
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Bakersfield's violent crime rate is 554.6 per 100,000 residents
— 46% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
554.6 /100k
Property Crime
2469.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bakersfield is served primarily by Bakersfield City.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.4:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bakersfield, CA
National Avg
School District
Bakersfield City
—
Elementary Schools
34
—
Middle Schools
10
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
23.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bakersfield sees average highs of 58.1°F in January
and 97.4°F in July,
with 8.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102, where 100 is the national average.
That puts Bakersfield roughly 2% above the national average in cost.
The median home price is $320,600 and median rent is $1,283/month.
Bakersfield's violent crime rate is 554.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2469.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bakersfield are operated by Bakersfield City.
The district has 34 elementary, 10 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.4:1. 23.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bakersfield, CA has a population of 404,321, a median household income of $73,827, and an unemployment rate of 7.1%.
Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bakersfield averages 58.1°F in January and 97.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 8.6 inches
with about 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bakersfield, CA is covered by 9 ZIP codes: 93306, 93311, 93307, 93313, 93312, 93309, 93304, 93301, 93305.
The population of Bakersfield, California is 404,321 with a median age of 31.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bakersfield: cost of living index 102 (100 = US average), median home $320,600, median household income $73,827, crime index 135 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bakersfield side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
