City comparison
No. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 187 in Long Beach, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 189, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
The cost gap between Long Beach and Bakersfield is the real story here. Bakersfield comes in 21% cheaper on typical rent ($1,871 vs $1,472), which over a year adds up to $4,788. Median household income runs $87,430 in Long Beach and $80,540 in Bakersfield.
This is a genuine split. Long Beach wins on the job market and Bakersfield wins on cost of living 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
Long Beach and Bakersfield are 121 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $399 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $6,890 (8%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 148 in Bakersfield, down 39 points (21%).
The move
Bakersfield and Long Beach are 121 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $399 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $6,890 (9%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 187 in Long Beach, up 39 points (26%).
Long Beach, CA
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 Long Beach and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 21% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Bakersfield is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $399/month back in your pocket ($4,788/year). Over five years that's $23,940 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 Long Beach, 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
9% higher
Long Beach's median income is 9% higher than Bakersfield
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Bakersfield
$80,540
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Long Beach (about $6,890 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
21% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 21% lower than Long Beach
Long Beach
187 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 187 in Long Beach (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in Bakersfield. 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, Bakersfield is the easier city. Long Beach can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Long Beach and Bakersfield are about even on typical weather.
Long Beach
76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Long Beach averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Long Beach sits near 76°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Long Beach is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 9% higher here ($87,430). Start with Long Beach if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 21% 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 21% lower than Long Beach (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.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Bakersfield undercuts Long Beach by $399/month ($1,472 vs $1,871). I would not pick Long Beach on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Bakersfield rent at $1,472/month is still below Long Beach's $1,871, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $80,540 in Bakersfield.
Between Long Beach and Bakersfield, Bakersfield is ahead on housing cost — $1,472/month rent against $1,871. Lean Long Beach instead when your $87,430 income offer in Long Beach outweighs saving $399/month in Bakersfield.
Common questions
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