Bakersfield CA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 190,214 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 46.9% | 40.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 44.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $66,772 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 20.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $429,449 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 41.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Providence
19.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.4 min | Bakersfield + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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