City comparison
Yes. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Bakersfield and Reno 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 $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $80,540 versus $80,760. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Bakersfield is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Reno makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Bakersfield is the stronger move.
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 Reno are 290 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $84 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $80,760 in Reno, up $220 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 151 in Reno, up 3 points (2%).
The move
Reno and Bakersfield are 290 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $84 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $220 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 148 in Bakersfield, down 3 points (2%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 5% cheaper than Reno
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,556 in Reno, so Bakersfield is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $84, or $1,008 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 Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Reno's median income is 1% higher than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$80,540
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Reno (about $220 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
2% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 2% lower than Reno
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Bakersfield. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Bakersfield, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Reno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Bakersfield scores 9% 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 Reno if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Bakersfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% 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.
Pick Bakersfield if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Bakersfield is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bakersfield is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Reno (148 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Reno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,472/month rent in Bakersfield at 73°F versus $1,556 in Reno at 62°F. Income runs $80,540 vs $80,760, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $84 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Bakersfield and 47/100 in Reno.
Between Bakersfield and Reno, Bakersfield is ahead on climate — 73°F typical weather versus 62°F. Lean Reno instead when you would rather tolerate 62°F than optimize for Bakersfield's comfort score.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Bakersfield and Reno, plus other cities in CA and NV.
