City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,472 in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield and Huntsville 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 $1,171 in Huntsville, and median household income lands at $80,540 versus $74,714. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Huntsville costs less and Bakersfield pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Bakersfield and Huntsville are 1,827 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $301 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $5,826 (7%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 134 in Huntsville, down 14 points (9%).
The move
Huntsville and Bakersfield are 1,827 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, up $301 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $80,540 in Bakersfield, up $5,826 (8%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 148 in Bakersfield, up 14 points (10%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 20% cheaper than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$1,472/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,472 in Bakersfield, so Huntsville is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,612, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Huntsville still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Bakersfield.
Planning to buy in Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Bakersfield's median income is 8% higher than Huntsville
Bakersfield
Winner$80,540
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Bakersfield (about $5,826 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
9% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 9% lower than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Huntsville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Huntsville, 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
6% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Bakersfield scores 6% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Huntsville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 8% higher ($80,540), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Huntsville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than Bakersfield (134 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: $1,171/month in Huntsville versus $1,472 in Bakersfield. Median income reads $74,714 in Huntsville and $80,540 in Bakersfield, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Bakersfield's $1,472, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $74,714 in Huntsville.
Huntsville clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Bakersfield deserves a serious look only when your $80,540 income offer in Bakersfield outweighs saving $301/month in Huntsville.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Bakersfield and Huntsville, plus other cities in CA and AL.
