Bakersfield CA vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 320,470 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 46.9% | 26.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 45.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $76,851 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $31,279 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 8.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 19.1% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $431,297 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.0% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.8% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 17.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.2 min | Bakersfield + |
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, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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