Bakersfield CA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 46.9% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 6.2% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 34.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $70,723 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $426,069 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.6% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 67.4°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.7 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, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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