Bakersfield CA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 115,415 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.8% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 13.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $75,331 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $441,257 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 44.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.7 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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