Bakersfield CA vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Kent
14.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 84,389 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 6.2% | 2.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 31.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $72,867 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $657,911 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 39.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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