City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,472 in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield and Arlington are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,472 in Bakersfield and $1,470 in Arlington, and median household income lands at $80,540 versus $75,171. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Bakersfield wins on the job market and Arlington wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Bakersfield and Arlington are 1,265 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $2 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $75,171 in Arlington, down $5,369 (7%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 132 in Arlington, down 16 points (11%).
The move
Arlington and Bakersfield are 1,265 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, up $2 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $80,540 in Bakersfield, up $5,369 (7%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 148 in Bakersfield, up 16 points (12%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Arlington rent is 1% cheaper than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$1,472/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,472 in Bakersfield, so Arlington is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $2, or $24 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Bakersfield's median income is 7% higher than Arlington
Bakersfield
Winner$80,540
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Bakersfield (about $5,369 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
11% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 11% lower than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Arlington. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Arlington, 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 Arlington are about even on typical weather.
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington sits near 67°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Bakersfield is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($80,540). Start with Bakersfield if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Bakersfield (132 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
Safety is the widest gap: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 48/100 in Bakersfield. Typical rent is the same $1,470/month in both cities, so you are choosing streets and blocks, not a cheaper lease.
Median income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $75,171 in Arlington — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Bakersfield only makes sense when you have walked the Bakersfield ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,472 rent.
Common questions
Ready to move to Arlington?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Bakersfield and Arlington, plus other cities in CA and TX.
