Bakersfield CA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 115,546 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.2% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 23.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $528,447 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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