Bakersfield CA vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
New Haven
31.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 132,893 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 31.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 17.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 36.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 31.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $53,771 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 25.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 28.4% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 47.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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