Bakersfield CA vs Boca Raton FL — 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%
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
98,833
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
45.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
5.7%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
3.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 98,833 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 45.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 20.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 46.9% | 77.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 15.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $102,722 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $72,542 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 60.4% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Boca Raton
$562,670
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $562,670 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 65.8% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.3% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.8% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Boca Raton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | 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
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Boca Raton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.4 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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