Bakersfield CA vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 199,322 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 4.4% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 25.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 4.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $44,376 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $31,616 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 25.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 45.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 19.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.6% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 63.3°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 53.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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