Bakersfield CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 135,806 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 46.9% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 6.2% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 28.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $708,498 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.5% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 53.2 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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