Bakersfield CA vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Flint
2.9%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 80,835 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 2.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 34.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 0.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 4.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $36,194 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $20,799 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 17.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 34.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 13.1% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 54.9% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Flint
471
Flint +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 50.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 19.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 23.5% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 25.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 31.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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