Bakersfield CA vs Bloomington MN — 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%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
14.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 71,261 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 72.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 6.2% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 5.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $44,640 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 36.1% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $366,438 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 26.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | 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
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.0 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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