Bakersfield CA vs Gastonia NC — 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 81,632 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.3% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 6.2% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 11.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $60,554 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 54.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.6% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 43.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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%.
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