Bakersfield CA vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 136,859 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 6.2% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 5.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $67,859 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.6% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 37.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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