Bakersfield CA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 92,577 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 18.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 6.2% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 16.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $662,209 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | 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
Bakersfield +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 29.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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