Bakersfield CA vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 100,501 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 12.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 6.2% | 3.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 5.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $570,592 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 51.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 42.2 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.4 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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