Bakersfield CA vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Denver
13.9%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 13.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 6.2% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 27.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Denver
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $541,899 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 25.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 17.2 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.4 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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