Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Fargo, ND
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 17°F
Households earn $9,395 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (554.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $320,600
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Fargo
Property crime (2469.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $383/mo less ($900 vs $1,283)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (3.6%)
10% less violent crime than Bakersfield
Homes cost $66k less ($254,900 vs $320,600)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (498.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Bakersfield by $9,395/yr
Property crime (3696.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Median Income
$9,395
$73,827 vs $64,432/yr
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
15.8°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 81.6°F
Fargo
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 102.2 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
10% lower
498.2 vs 554.6 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$66k less
$254,900 vs $320,600
Fargo
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High | $254,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 | $900 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 ✓ Higher | $64,432 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 3.6% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% ✓ Higher | 6.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 176⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 42.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | FARGO 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 17.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 24.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 52.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 127,319 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 31.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 44.2% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Fargo's 89.4 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 11 and Fargo 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 Bakersfield to Fargo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $254,900 median home), income ($73,827 vs $64,432), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Fargo, ND are about 1,395 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.