Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Bakersfield, CA

    Is Bakersfield a good place to live?

    Watch Bakersfield

    Bakersfield ranks #79 of 304 California cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (59/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $347,300
    +8.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,371
    per month
    Household income
    $77,397
    median
    Unemployment
    7.0%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Bakersfield

    The median home value in Bakersfield is $347,300 and median rent is $1,371 a month, against a median household income of $77,397. Homes cost about 4.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Bakersfield crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across California the 2025 rate was 435 violent and 1,821 property crimes per 100,000 people — #9 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Bakersfield, CA

    Bakersfield has about 408,366 residents, 7.0% unemployment and 15% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Bakersfield with

    Bakersfield vs Los AngelesBakersfield vs San DiegoBakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs FresnoBakersfield vs SacramentoBakersfield vs Long BeachBakersfield vs Oakland

    More: Where to move in California · Best counties in California

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report