Bakersfield CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 13.7% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 6.2% | 5.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.1% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 42.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $54,546 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $31,152 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 51.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 69.8°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 12.2 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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