Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Bakersfield, CA
🏆 Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Bakersfield
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,827
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
404,321
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 97°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Households earn $3,828 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
34% less violent crime than Atlanta
Homes cost $75k less ($320,600 vs $395,600)
Rent averages $229/mo less ($1,283 vs $1,512)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (554.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2469.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.8%)
Median income trails Atlanta by $3,828/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 102.2 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Income
$3,828
$77,655 vs $73,827/yr
Atlanta
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.1% unemployment
Bakersfield
Violent Crime
34% lower
554.6 vs 840.6 per 100k
Bakersfield
Median Home Value
$75k less
$320,600 vs $395,600
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 90.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bakersfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $320,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $1,283 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $73,827 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 7.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | C- (73) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 23.3% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 81.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Bakersfield City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 8.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 404,321 |
| Median Age | 33.6 ✓ Older | 31.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 60.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 29.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% ✓ More | 10.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Bakersfield's 102.2 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 11 and Bakersfield wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Atlanta to Bakersfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $320,600 median home), income ($77,655 vs $73,827), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Bakersfield, CA are about 1,963 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.