Bakersfield CA vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 138,019 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 5.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 6.2% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 5.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $55,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 23.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 66.7°F | Bakersfield + |
| 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
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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 34.4%.
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