Bakersfield CA vs Brownsville TX — 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%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 188,023 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 46.9% | 45.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 0.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 0.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $48,675 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $21,338 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 22.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
59.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 59.9% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 36.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 74.5°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 27.4 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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