Bakersfield CA vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 261,078 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 6.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 6.2% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 36.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $60,487 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 50.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 21.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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