Bakersfield CA vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Henderson
324,523
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Henderson
14.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Henderson
6.2%
Henderson +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Henderson
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 324,523 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 6.2% | 6.2% | Henderson + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 18.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Henderson
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Henderson
6.7%
Henderson +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.7% | Henderson + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 36.8% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $487,098 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.0 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Henderson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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