Bakersfield CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Portland
12.4%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 12.4% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 11.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $538,687 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.8% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 78.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.5 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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