Bakersfield CA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 117,460 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 12.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 39.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $62,789 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.5% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
North Charleston
15.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.8 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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