Bakersfield CA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
New York
35.9%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 46.9% | 35.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 28.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $816,078 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 32.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
New York
16.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 46.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | 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
Bakersfield +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 44.2 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PABakersfield, CA vs San Antonio, TX