Bakersfield CA vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 44,998 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 57.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 17.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 24.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $71,979 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 8.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $503,393 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
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, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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