Bakersfield CA vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Chandler
278,123
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Chandler
15.4%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Chandler
21.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 278,123 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 15.4% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 21.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Chandler
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $524,013 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | 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
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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