Bakersfield CA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
47.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 154,751 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 40.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 47.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $51,339 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $27,054 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 8.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 25.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 19.7% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.5% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.1% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.5% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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