Bakersfield CA vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 101,083 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 4.6% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 6.2% | 11.2% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 9.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Davenport
$64,497
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Davenport
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $64,497 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $36,583 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.0% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
16.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 21.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.2% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Davenport
36.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 36.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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