Bakersfield CA vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 12.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 6.2% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 21.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $66,702 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
59.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 59.1% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 38.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.9% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 37.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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