Bakersfield CA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 11,627 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 46.9% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 6.2% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 34.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $472,888 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 22.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.4% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 29.2 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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