Bakersfield CA vs Fremont CA — 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 228,518 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 46.9% | 19.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 2.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Fremont
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $1,538,830 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Fremont
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Fremont
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 59.6°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 16.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.9 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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