Bakersfield CA vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 149,785 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 15.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 6.2% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 34.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 41.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 36.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.7 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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