Bakersfield CA vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 58,754 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 2.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 6.2% | 0.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 0.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Cheyenne
30.0%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $69,171 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $41,460 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.0% | Cheyenne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Cheyenne
16.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 16.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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