Bakersfield CA vs Escondido 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 107,066 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 46.9% | 13.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 0.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Escondido
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Escondido
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Escondido
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $64,484 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $24,356 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.4% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 14.7% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $849,335 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 40.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Escondido
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Escondido
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, 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%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Escondido
11.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 11.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, 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 +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.6 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, Escondido is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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