Living in Bakersfield, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bakersfield · Census data 2020–2024
Bakersfield has 411,986 residents with a median age of 32.1. The median household income is $80,540 (19% lower than the California median), the median home value is $371,700, the median rent is $1,472/month.
Bakersfield at a glance
- Population
- 411,986
- Median age
- 32.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $80,540State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $371,700State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,472/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 60.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.6%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Bakersfield a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7%; a poverty rate of 16.3%.
The weather is best in March to May and October.
Cost of living in Bakersfield
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bakersfield the median home value is $371,700, 12% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,472 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,107 a month in housing costs.
Bakersfield median household income
The median household income in Bakersfield is $80,540 and the income per person is $33,405. 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Bakersfield: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 135,724
- Owner-occupied
- 60.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.4%
- Vacant
- 4.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 3.14
Bakersfield demographics
- Population
- 411,986
- Median age
- 32.1
- Under 18
- 29.2%
- 65 and older
- 11.3%
- Households
- 129,625
- Foreign-born
- 20.2%
- Veterans
- 4.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bakersfield ›
Education in Bakersfield
23.6% of adults 25 and older in Bakersfield have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 8.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bakersfield
- Unemployment rate
- 7%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 8.2%
- Drive alone
- 79.1%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 94%
Bakersfield vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | 411,986 | $80,540 | $371,700 | $1,472 |
| Old Stine | 3,760 | $54,292 | $235,400 | $1,579 |
| Benton Park | 5,707 | $49,717 | $240,600 | $1,243 |
| Casa Loma | 1,587 | $43,403 | $256,100 | $749 |
| Olde Stockdale | 349 | $166,987 | $717,100 | — |
| Cottonwood | 3,107 | $44,247 | $321,600 | $1,029 |
| Rexland Acres | 2,760 | $56,078 | $200,200 | $1,435 |
| La Cresta | 8,389 | $49,605 | $262,000 | $1,177 |
| East Bakersfield | 11,062 | $38,644 | $208,700 | $1,090 |
More for people moving to Bakersfield
Bakersfield ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bakersfield: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bakersfield, CA?
The median household income in Bakersfield is $80,540, 19% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bakersfield?
The median home value in Bakersfield is $371,700, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Bakersfield?
The median gross rent in Bakersfield is $1,472 per month, about 33.8% of household income.
Is Bakersfield, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7%; a poverty rate of 16.3%.
What is the median age in Bakersfield?
The median age in Bakersfield is 32.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Bakersfield?
The average commute to work in Bakersfield is 24 minutes; 8.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bakersfield?
The unemployment rate in Bakersfield is 7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bakersfield?
23.6% of adults in Bakersfield have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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