Bakersfield CA vs Chesapeake VA — 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%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
251,153
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 251,153 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 6.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 6.2% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $422,528 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | 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
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.3 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA