Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Federal Way, WA
🏆 Bakersfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,827
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Federal Way
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Homes cost $134k less ($320,600 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $377/mo less ($1,283 vs $1,660)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal 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 5.5%)
Median income trails Federal Way by $6,533/yr
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.5%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 97°F
More college-educated — 30.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $6,533 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
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
$134k less
$320,600 vs $454,300
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
20.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 76.8°F
Federal Way
Median Income
$6,533
$80,360 vs $73,827/yr
Federal Way
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Federal Way, 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 | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 ✓ Lower | $1,660⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $80,360 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 10.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 208⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | B- (92) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 18.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 30.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | Federal Way School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 40.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 99,614 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 55.4% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Federal Way's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Bakersfield is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bakersfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 13 and Federal Way wins 10. 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 Federal Way or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $454,300 median home), income ($73,827 vs $80,360), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Federal Way, WA are about 844 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.