Bakersfield CA vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 149,827 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 1.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 14.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 0.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 2.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $43,238 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $26,868 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $46,995 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 9.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 26.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.6% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 46.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 18.1% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 64.6°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 54.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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