Bakersfield CA vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 136,741 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 5.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 6.2% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 5.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $43,454 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $26,381 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,300 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 9.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 27.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.7% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.6% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 20.5% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 40.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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