City comparison
No. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 158 in Los Angeles, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 202, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles.
The cost gap between Los Angeles and Bakersfield is the real story here. Bakersfield comes in 24% cheaper on typical rent ($1,933 vs $1,472), which over a year adds up to $5,532. Median household income runs $81,939 in Los Angeles and $80,540 in Bakersfield.
This is a genuine split. Los Angeles 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
Los Angeles and Bakersfield are 101 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,933 a month in Los Angeles to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $461 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $81,939 in Los Angeles to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $1,399 (2%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Los Angeles to 148 in Bakersfield, down 10 points (6%).
The move
Bakersfield and Los Angeles are 101 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,933 a month in Los Angeles, up $461 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $81,939 in Los Angeles, up $1,399 (2%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 158 in Los Angeles, up 10 points (7%).
Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 24% cheaper than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$1,933/mo
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,933 in Los Angeles, so Bakersfield is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $461/month back in your pocket ($5,532/year). Over five years that's $27,660 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 Los Angeles, 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
2% higher
Los Angeles's median income is 2% higher than Bakersfield
Los Angeles
Winner$81,939
Bakersfield
$80,540
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Los Angeles (about $1,399 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
6% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 6% lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
158 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 158 in Los Angeles (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 Los Angeles. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Los Angeles and Bakersfield are about even on typical weather.
Los Angeles
77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Los Angeles averages about 77°F (83°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Los Angeles sits near 77°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
Los Angeles is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($81,939). Start with Los Angeles 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 24% 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 Los Angeles (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 Los Angeles by $461/month ($1,472 vs $1,933). I would not pick Los Angeles on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Bakersfield rent at $1,472/month is still below Los Angeles's $1,933, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $81,939 in Los Angeles versus $80,540 in Bakersfield.
Between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, Bakersfield is ahead on housing cost — $1,472/month rent against $1,933. Lean Los Angeles instead when your $81,939 income offer in Los Angeles outweighs saving $461/month in Bakersfield.
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