Bakersfield CA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 114,799 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 46.9% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 6.2% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 19.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $76,205 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $484,226 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 44.0% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.1% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 47.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.1 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, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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