Bakersfield CA vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 316,241 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 46.9% | 39.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 6.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $648,603 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 66.8°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 10.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 34.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside 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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