Bakersfield CA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 119,970 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 46.9% | 26.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 44.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $45,300 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $27,319 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 10.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 25.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 18.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 25.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.8% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 45.9 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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