Abilene TX vs Bakersfield CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
46.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
6.2%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 408,366 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 31.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 66.6% | 46.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 6.2% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 53.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
23.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $77,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $32,956 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 16.0% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 23.3% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Bakersfield
$396,712
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $396,712 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Bakersfield
2388
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 34.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.6% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.4% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 64.0°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Bakersfield
25.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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