Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Tyler, TX
🏆 Tyler leads 14 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Tyler
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,056
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,440
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Households earn $10,771 more per year on average
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
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.3%)
Tyler, TX
Pros
Homes cost $115k less ($205,200 vs $320,600)
29% less violent crime than Bakersfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.3%)
Rent averages $170/mo less ($1,113 vs $1,283)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Bakersfield
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Bakersfield by $10,771/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Median Income
$10,771
$73,827 vs $63,056/yr
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 93.1°F
Tyler
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 102.2 (100 = US avg)
Tyler
Violent Crime
29% lower
391.2 vs 554.6 per 100k
Tyler
Median Home Value
$115k less
$205,200 vs $320,600
Tyler
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.3% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tyler, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High | $205,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 | $1,113 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 ✓ Higher | $63,056 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 20.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 15.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 31.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 87.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | TYLER ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 57.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 93.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 47.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 0.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 106,440 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 22.9% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 16.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Tyler's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Tyler is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tyler leads 14 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 9 and Tyler wins 14. 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 Tyler or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $205,200 median home), income ($73,827 vs $63,056), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Tyler, TX are about 1,375 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.