Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Pueblo, CO
🏆 Bakersfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Pueblo
Colorado
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,794
Violent Crime Index
375⚠ High
Population
111,430
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
61% less violent crime than Pueblo
Households earn $21,033 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 48°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $320,600
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
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Pueblo
Pueblo, CO
Pros
Homes cost $123k less ($197,700 vs $320,600)
Rent averages $343/mo less ($940 vs $1,283)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (6.6%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Bakersfield
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cons
Median income trails Bakersfield by $21,033/yr
Violent crime (1424.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4942.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Median Income
$21,033
$73,827 vs $52,794/yr
Bakersfield
Violent Crime
61% lower
554.6 vs 1424.1 per 100k
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 93.0°F
Pueblo
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 102.2 (100 = US avg)
Pueblo
Median Home Value
$123k less
$197,700 vs $320,600
Pueblo
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pueblo, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High | $197,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 | $940 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 ✓ Higher | $52,794 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 19.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% ✓ Higher | 5.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 319⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer | 375⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | C+ (87) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% ✓ Higher | 21.8% |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | Pueblo School District No. 60 in the county of Pueblo and |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 93.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 14.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 111,430 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 37.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Pueblo's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Pueblo is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bakersfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 13 and Pueblo 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 Pueblo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $197,700 median home), income ($73,827 vs $52,794), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Pueblo, CO are about 822 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.