Bakersfield CA vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Durham
15.3%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Durham
5.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 288,465 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 15.3% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 44.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 14.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $399,509 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 51.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 47.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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