Bakersfield CA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 98,677 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 6.2% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $52,671 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 51.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 41.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.7% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 44.5 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Bakersfield 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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