Bakersfield CA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 156,309 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 22.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $575,076 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 17.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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