Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Everett, WA
🏆 Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,827
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Everett
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,806 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
110,847
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Homes cost $151k less ($320,600 vs $471,200)
Rent averages $328/mo less ($1,283 vs $1,611)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Everett
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 48°F
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 Everett by $3,979/yr
Everett, WA
Pros
52% less violent crime than Bakersfield
Violent crime is well below the national average (265.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 97°F
More college-educated — 26.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $3,979 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $471,200
Higher rents — median is $1,611/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3219.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 102.2 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Bakersfield
Median Home Value
$151k less
$320,600 vs $471,200
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
22.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 74.8°F
Everett
Median Income
$3,979
$77,806 vs $73,827/yr
Everett
Violent Crime
52% lower
265.1 vs 554.6 per 100k
Everett
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Everett, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $471,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 ✓ Lower | $1,611⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $77,806 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 10.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | B- (91) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 19.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 26.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | Everett School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 47.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 74.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 40.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 110,847 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 36.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 48.5% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Everett's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Bakersfield is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 12 and Everett wins 11. 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 Bakersfield to Everett or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $471,200 median home), income ($73,827 vs $77,806), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Everett, WA are about 886 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.