Bakersfield CA vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
High Point
14.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 115,263 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 46.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $61,228 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
High Point
58.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.2% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 46.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA