Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
408,366
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
31.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
19.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
46.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
6.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
7.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
53.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 408,366 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 46.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 53.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
$77,397
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
$32,956
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
23.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $77,397 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,956 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 23.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
60.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $396,712 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Bakersfield
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Bakersfield
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Bakersfield
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Bakersfield
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Bakersfield
13.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 34.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.9% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.4% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 64.0°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Bakersfield
25.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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