Bakersfield CA vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 266,235 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 6.2% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 10.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $60,293 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $32,884 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.8% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 38.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA