Bakersfield CA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 229,228 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 6.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 6.2% | 2.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $65,745 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $400,636 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 17.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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