City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Safety is where Bakersfield and Scottsdale split most clearly. Scottsdale scores 69 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,472 in Bakersfield and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
This is a genuine split. Bakersfield wins on cost of living and Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 426 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $541 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $30,346 (38%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 79 in Scottsdale, down 69 points (47%).
The move
Scottsdale and Bakersfield are 426 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $541 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $30,346 (27%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 148 in Bakersfield, up 69 points (87%).
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Bakersfield and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 27% cheaper than Scottsdale
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so Bakersfield is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $541/month back in your pocket ($6,492/year). Over five years that's $32,460 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
38% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 38% higher than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
$80,540
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Scottsdale (about $30,346 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, Scottsdale 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
47% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 47% lower than Bakersfield
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 47% lower in Scottsdale. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Scottsdale is the easier city. Bakersfield can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Bakersfield and Scottsdale are about even on typical weather.
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Scottsdale
79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 79°F (86°F highs). Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale sits near 79°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 27% 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
Scottsdale is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 38% higher here ($110,886). Start with Scottsdale if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 47% lower than Bakersfield (79 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Scottsdale: Scottsdale scores 67/100 versus 48/100 in Bakersfield, with typical rent at $2,013 versus $1,472. I would vet the exact ZIP in Bakersfield before trading 19 safety points for housing savings.
Scottsdale still pays more locally ($110,886 median income vs $80,540), which can offset the lease if your field pays Scottsdale rates.
Median income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $80,540 in Bakersfield.
If safety drives your move, Scottsdale is the stronger match (67/100 safety versus 48/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Bakersfield, treat $1,472/month rent and $80,540 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
Ready to move to Scottsdale?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Scottsdale when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Bakersfield and Scottsdale, plus other cities in CA and AZ.
