Bakersfield CA vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 106,274 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 11.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Boulder
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.1% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 21.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $970,905 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.9% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 20.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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