City comparison
Yes. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
The cost gap between Bakersfield and Riverside is the real story here. Bakersfield comes in 23% cheaper on typical rent ($1,472 vs $1,914), which over a year adds up to $5,304. Median household income runs $80,540 in Bakersfield and $91,045 in Riverside.
This is a genuine split. Bakersfield wins on cost of living and safety and Riverside wins on the job market. 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 Riverside are 135 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $442 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $91,045 in Riverside, up $10,505 (13%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 158 in Riverside, up 10 points (7%).
The move
Riverside and Bakersfield are 135 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $442 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $10,505 (12%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 148 in Bakersfield, down 10 points (6%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Riverside, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Riverside? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 23% cheaper than Riverside
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Bakersfield is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $442/month back in your pocket ($5,304/year). Over five years that's $26,520 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 Riverside, 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 Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
13% higher
Riverside's median income is 13% higher than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$80,540
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 13% higher in Riverside (about $10,505 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, Riverside 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
6% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 6% lower than Riverside
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 158 in Riverside (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% 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 Riverside. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Bakersfield and Riverside are about even on typical weather.
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Riverside
77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Riverside averages about 77°F (84°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Riverside sits near 77°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
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Bakersfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Bakersfield is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 6% lower than Riverside (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
Riverside is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 13% higher here ($91,045). Start with Riverside if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Bakersfield at $1,472/month versus $1,914 in Riverside ($442 apart). Riverside median income is $91,045 against $80,540 in Bakersfield, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Bakersfield rent at $1,472/month is still below Riverside's $1,914, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Bakersfield and 46/100 in Riverside.
Pick Bakersfield when shaving $442 off rent at $1,472/month is the priority. Otherwise, Riverside's case rests on $1,914/month rent with $91,045 local income.
Common questions
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