Bakersfield CA vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 129,064 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 6.2% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 3.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $66,029 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $71,089 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 44.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 21.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 22.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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