Bakersfield CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Tie
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.6% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 36.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.8% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 15.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $60,698 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 8.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 48.5 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 34.5 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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