Bakersfield CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 186,419 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 13.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 6.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 23.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $468,328 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 41.6% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 71.3°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 9.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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