Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Bakersfield
6.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 408,366 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 31.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 19.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 32.8% | 46.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 56.5% | 6.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 53.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Bakersfield
23.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $77,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $32,956 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 23.3% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Bakersfield
$396,712
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $396,712 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 60.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Bakersfield
2388
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bakersfield
13.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 64.0°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Bakersfield
25.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta 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).
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