Bakersfield CA vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 218,614 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 18.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 6.2% | 4.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 43.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Modesto
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $447,353 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.4% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Modesto
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Modesto
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.7% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 13.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.5 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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