Bakersfield CA vs Hialeah FL — 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
221,901
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 221,901 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 45.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 46.9% | 32.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 0.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $53,079 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $25,766 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 21.2% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $444,086 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 19.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 34.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 76.0°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 70.4 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.7 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, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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