Bakersfield CA vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 176,686 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 46.9% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 6.2% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 9.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $629,864 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 59.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 46.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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