Bakersfield CA vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 148,848 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 46.9% | 37.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 44.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $71,843 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $29,291 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 18.5% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $487,346 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 64.2°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 40.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, 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
Bakersfield +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 35.6 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, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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