Bakersfield CA vs Southaven MS — 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%

Southaven, MS

Mississippi · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$276,140
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Southaven
N/A
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Southaven
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Southaven
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Southaven
$276,140
Southaven +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Southaven
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Southaven
1808
Southaven +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Southaven
37.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Southaven
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Southaven
16.7%
Southaven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Southaven
10.0%
Southaven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Southaven
14.9%
Southaven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Southaven
14.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Southaven
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Southaven
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Southaven
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Southaven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $276,140. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Bakersfield & Southaven