Bakersfield CA vs Billings MT — 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%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Billings
2.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 118,321 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 2.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 0.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 7.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $71,855 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $398,212 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.1% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Billings
14.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 14.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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