Bakersfield CA vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Macon
18.3%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 61,773 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 18.3% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 43.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 19.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $70,086 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | 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
Bakersfield +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 64.6°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 45.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.2 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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