Bakersfield CA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 235,037 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 44.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 9.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $64,017 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 45.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Norfolk
12.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.7% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 50.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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