Bakersfield CA vs Bellevue WA — 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%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
151,199
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
38.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
45.0%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
8.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 151,199 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 46.9% | 45.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 2.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
51.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $1,527,243 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 51.9% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Bellevue
25.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA