Bakersfield CA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 125,273 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 15.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 6.2% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 19.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $67,521 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 22.6% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.5% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 29.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA