Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Lowell, MA
🏆 Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Lowell
Massachusetts
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Rent averages $183/mo less ($1,283 vs $1,466)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 34°F
Homes cost $42k less ($320,600 vs $362,800)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
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 5.7%)
Lowell, MA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 97°F
More college-educated — 28.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,466/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $362,800
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.2 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Bakersfield
Median Income
$819
$73,827 vs $73,008/yr
Bakersfield
Median Home Value
$42k less
$320,600 vs $362,800
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
12.7°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 84.7°F
Lowell
Violent Crime
4% lower
532.5 vs 554.6 per 100k
Lowell
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $362,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 ✓ Lower | $1,466⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 ✓ Higher | $73,008 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 28.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 82.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | Lowell |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 34.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 48.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 59.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 114,737 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 11.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Lowell's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Bakersfield is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 12 and Lowell 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 Lowell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $362,800 median home), income ($73,827 vs $73,008), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Lowell, MA are about 2,576 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.