Bakersfield CA vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 117,794 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 46.9% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 6.2% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $1,041,988 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 33.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.3 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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