Bakersfield CA vs Brockton 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 105,080 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 46.9% | 29.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Brockton
$77,089
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $77,089 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $35,524 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 8.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 21.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
57.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $506,468 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 57.0% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.4% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.7% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 49.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 49.9 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 34.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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