Bakersfield CA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 127,200 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 6.2% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 4.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $64,488 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.4% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 46.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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