Bakersfield CA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
16.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
5.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
21.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 112,818 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 16.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 6.2% | 4.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 21.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Gresham
$73,608
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $73,608 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
56.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $472,119 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.4% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | 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
Bakersfield +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.8 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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