Bakersfield CA vs Des Moines 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 212,464 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 6.2% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 16.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $63,966 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.4% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 35.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, 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
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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%.
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