Bakersfield CA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 11.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 6.2% | 4.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 26.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $435,670 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 71.8°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 11.7 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.7 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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