Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Reno leads 12 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Reno
Nevada
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Homes cost $142k less ($320,600 vs $462,100)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 46°F
Rent averages $77/mo less ($1,283 vs $1,360)
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 5.0%)
Reno, NV
Pros
5% less violent crime than Bakersfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.2 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Bakersfield
Median Income
$754
$73,827 vs $73,073/yr
Bakersfield
Median Home Value
$142k less
$320,600 vs $462,100
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 92.7°F
Reno
Violent Crime
5% lower
529.6 vs 554.6 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 ✓ Higher | $73,073 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 35.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 89.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 9.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 265,196 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Bakersfield is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 12 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 11 and Reno 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 Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $462,100 median home), income ($73,827 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Reno, NV are about 293 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.