Bakersfield CA vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 125,983 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 19.3% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 45.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 25.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 32.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.6% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | 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 +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 36.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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