Bakersfield CA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 133,473 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 46.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.2% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 2.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.5 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and 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%.
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