Bakersfield CA vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 44,649 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 6.2% | 3.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 3.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $68,854 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,829 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 23.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $510,361 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 39.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.3% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 36.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
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, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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