Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
White
Albany
18.9%
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Bakersfield
6.2%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 408,366 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 19.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 18.9% | 46.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 76.3% | 6.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 53.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $77,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $32,956 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 16.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 23.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Bakersfield
$396,712
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $396,712 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 60.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Bakersfield
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Bakersfield
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.6% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.9% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.4% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 64.0°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Bakersfield
25.1 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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