Bakersfield CA vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 11.9% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 6.2% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 19.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $58,407 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.0% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 41.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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