Bakersfield CA vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
32.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 107,846 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 46.9% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 6.2% | 3.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 3.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
$65,192
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $65,192 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $29,900 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.5% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 18.2% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
33.9 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 33.9 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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