Bakersfield CA vs Hampton VA — 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%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 137,334 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 5.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 37.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 6.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Hampton
$67,758
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Hampton
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $67,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 27.5% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
55.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.6% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Hampton
14.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 61.9°F | Hampton + |
| 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 +
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.0 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, 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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