Bakersfield CA vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 291,932 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 6.2% | 4.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $69,991 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 29.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA