City comparison
No. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Bakersfield and Anaheim is the real story here. Bakersfield comes in 32% cheaper on typical rent ($1,472 vs $2,175), which over a year adds up to $8,436. Median household income runs $80,540 in Bakersfield and $95,227 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Bakersfield wins on cost of living and Anaheim wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Bakersfield at $1,472 average has pockets that run $1,272 and others at $1,872: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Bakersfield and Anaheim are 123 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $703 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $14,687 (18%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 143 in Anaheim, down 5 points (3%).
The move
Anaheim and Bakersfield are 123 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $703 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $14,687 (15%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 148 in Bakersfield, up 5 points (3%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 32% cheaper than Anaheim
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Bakersfield is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $703/month back in your pocket ($8,436/year). Over five years that's $42,180 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Bakersfield is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
18% higher
Anaheim's median income is 18% higher than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$80,540
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Anaheim (about $14,687 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Bakersfield can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
3% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 3% lower than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Anaheim. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Anaheim, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Bakersfield. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Bakersfield and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Bakersfield
Bakersfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,472 a month. Choose Bakersfield if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 18% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Bakersfield (143 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,472/month in Bakersfield versus $2,175 in Anaheim. Median income reads $80,540 in Bakersfield and $95,227 in Anaheim, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Bakersfield rent at $1,472/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Bakersfield and 49/100 in Anaheim.
Bakersfield clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Anaheim deserves a serious look only when your $95,227 income offer in Anaheim outweighs saving $703/month in Bakersfield.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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