Bakersfield CA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Independence
5.3%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 121,944 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 5.3% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 6.2% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $59,480 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $31,683 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.9% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.9% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 18.4% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 43.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.5 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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