Bakersfield CA vs Fort Worth TX — 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
33.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
17.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
5.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 17.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 47.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 6.2% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 34.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
$76,602
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $76,602 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 31.7% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
56.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Fort Worth
16.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
13.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.8% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
37.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 65.8°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 37.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 29.0 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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