Bakersfield CA vs Baltimore MD — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
36.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
8.8%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.8% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 27.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 7.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
$59,623
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
$70,886
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $59,623 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $39,195 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $70,886 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 35.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
47.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.5% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 433 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 38.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.1% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
41.9 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 55.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 41.9 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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