Bakersfield CA vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Boise
7.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 235,701 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 9.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $504,894 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 18.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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