Bakersfield CA vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.8% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 6.2% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $64,731 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 43.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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