Bakersfield CA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 183,032 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 46.9% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 6.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 20.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $510,297 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 75.5°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 66.5 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.5 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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