Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California Overview

Bakersfield faces challenges across several categories, earning a D grade (43.0/100) and ranking #16 of 20 cities in California. Even so, the city scores 51/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Environment score of 25/100.

Income & Employment in Bakersfield

The median household income in Bakersfield is $79,355, 14% below the statewide median of $91,905. The local unemployment rate of 6.3% is higher than the state’s 5.4%. Population grew 0.7% recently.

Safety in Bakersfield

With a violent crime rate of 651.7 per 100,000, Bakersfield exceeds the California average of 440. Safety is a factor prospective residents should weigh carefully. The property crime rate is 3378.5 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Bakersfield

Bakersfield has a cost of living index of 102.2 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly above the national benchmark. The median home value is $347,300. Median monthly rent is $1,371. Renters spend 20.7% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Bakersfield

The adult obesity rate in Bakersfield is 34.5% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 12.4%. Residents report an average of 19.6 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. California ranks #16 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Bakersfield

Bakersfield has a high school graduation rate of 85.4%. With a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1, class sizes tend to be larger than the national median. Local districts invest $17,774 per student, well above the national median. The city has 139 public schools serving 121,151 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Bakersfield

Summers in Bakersfield are hot, averaging 85.4°F. Summers average 85.4°F. Winters average 50.7°F. Annual precipitation is 18 inches.

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