Bakersfield CA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 170,013 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 13.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 35.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 45.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $76,083 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $29,766 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.1% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $466,147 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.4% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.0 min | Bakersfield + |
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, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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