Bakersfield CA vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 143,611 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 12.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 6.2% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 13.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $45,611 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $30,282 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 28.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 38.5% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.3% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 68.9°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 47.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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