Bakersfield CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Orem
10.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 86,973 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 30.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $70,053 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $509,396 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 13.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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