City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,509 in Fort Worth.
Fort Worth and Bakersfield 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 $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,472 in Bakersfield, and median household income lands at $79,507 versus $80,540. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Fort Worth wins on safety and Bakersfield wins on cost of living and 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.
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
Fort Worth and Bakersfield are 1,253 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $37 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $80,540 in Bakersfield, up $1,033 (1%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 148 in Bakersfield, up 13 points (10%).
The move
Bakersfield and Fort Worth are 1,253 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, up $37 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $79,507 in Fort Worth, down $1,033 (1%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 135 in Fort Worth, down 13 points (9%).
Fort Worth, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Bakersfield, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Worth and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 2% cheaper than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$1,509/mo
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,509 in Fort Worth, so Bakersfield is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $37, or $444 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
Bakersfield's median income is 1% higher than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$79,507
Bakersfield
Winner$80,540
Median household income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Bakersfield (about $1,033 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
Fort Worth's crime index is 9% lower than Bakersfield
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Fort Worth. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth and Bakersfield are about even on typical weather.
Fort Worth
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fort Worth averages about 66°F (73°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Bakersfield sits near 73°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
Fort Worth 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 (135 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
Bakersfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($80,540). Start with Bakersfield if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Fort Worth leads on safety (51/100 vs 48/100 in Bakersfield). Typical rent is $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,472 in Bakersfield; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
With only $37 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $79,507 in Fort Worth.
Between Fort Worth and Bakersfield, Fort Worth is ahead on safety — 51/100 safety versus 48/100. Lean Bakersfield instead when you already know the Bakersfield block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Bakersfield?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Bakersfield when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fort Worth and Bakersfield, plus other cities in TX and CA.
