Bakersfield CA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 199,696 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.0% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 6.2% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 8.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $55,931 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 23.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 39.5% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.3% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 67.6°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 58.1 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA