Bakersfield CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Reno
16.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 268,959 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 16.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 6.2% | 3.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 24.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $570,934 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.4% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 8.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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