Bakersfield CA vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Boston
33.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 46.9% | 47.8% | Boston + |
| Black | 6.2% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 18.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $793,154 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 35.4% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 43.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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