Bakersfield CA vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 11.6% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 6.2% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 13.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $62,995 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 41.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.8 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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