Allen 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)

Allen, TX

Texas · Population: 107,684

  • Median HH Income$129,130
  • Median Home Price$502,170
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+56.1%

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
Allen
107,684
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Bakersfield
19.9%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Bakersfield
46.9%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Bakersfield
6.2%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Bakersfield
7.8%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Bakersfield
$77,397
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Bakersfield
$32,956
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Bakersfield
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Bakersfield
23.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Bakersfield
60.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Bakersfield
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Bakersfield
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Bakersfield
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Bakersfield
13.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.

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About Allen & Bakersfield