Bakersfield CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Waco
9.8%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 141,925 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.8% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 6.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 29.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $51,468 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $28,819 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.9% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.4% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.1% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bakersfield +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 66.6°F | Bakersfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 36.4 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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