Bakersfield CA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 307,188 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 46.9% | 16.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 37.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $48,416 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $25,509 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 10.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 17.4% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $482,675 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 24.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.0% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 23.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 18.2% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 46.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 35.9 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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