Bakersfield CA vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 114,617 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 46.9% | 21.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 0.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Downey
$68,378
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Downey
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $68,378 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $23,265 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 10.6% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $888,820 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 33.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Downey
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Downey
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Downey
14.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 14.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Downey
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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