Bakersfield CA vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 18.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $451,202 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 16.5 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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