Bakersfield CA vs Glendale AZ — 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%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Glendale
271,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Glendale
35.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Glendale
9.6%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Glendale
3.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Glendale
6.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Glendale
17.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 271,118 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.6% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 72.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 6.2% | 3.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 17.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Glendale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Glendale
$408,630
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $408,630 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Glendale
13.2%
Glendale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 32.9% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.2% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Glendale
28.0 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.0 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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