Bakersfield CA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 6.2% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 10.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.0% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 30.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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