City comparison
No. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 266 in Milwaukee, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 375, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Milwaukee is cheaper. Median rent is $1,059 a month versus $1,472 in Bakersfield.
The income gap between Milwaukee and Bakersfield is significant: $54,234 median household versus $80,540. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,472 in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Milwaukee makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Bakersfield is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Milwaukee at $1,059 average has pockets that run $859 and others at $1,459: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Milwaukee and Bakersfield are 1,736 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,059 a month in Milwaukee to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, up $413 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $54,234 in Milwaukee to $80,540 in Bakersfield, up $26,306 (49%).
The crime index goes from 266 in Milwaukee to 148 in Bakersfield, down 118 points (44%).
The move
Bakersfield and Milwaukee are 1,736 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,059 a month in Milwaukee, down $413 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $54,234 in Milwaukee, down $26,306 (33%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 266 in Milwaukee, up 118 points (80%).
Milwaukee, WI
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 Milwaukee and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Milwaukee rent is 28% cheaper than Bakersfield
Milwaukee
Winner$1,059/mo
Bakersfield
$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,059 a month in Milwaukee versus $1,472 in Bakersfield, so Milwaukee is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $413/month back in your pocket ($4,956/year). Over five years that's $24,780 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 Bakersfield, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Milwaukee 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
49% higher
Bakersfield's median income is 49% higher than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
$54,234
Bakersfield
Winner$80,540
Median household income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $54,234 in Milwaukee, so typical pay runs 49% higher in Bakersfield (about $26,306 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, Bakersfield is the stronger labor market on paper. Milwaukee can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
44% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 44% lower than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
266 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 266 in Milwaukee (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% 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. Milwaukee can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 39% more comfortable than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Milwaukee averages about 55°F (61°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Milwaukee averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Bakersfield scores 39% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Milwaukee if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,059 a month. Choose Milwaukee 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 49% higher ($80,540), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bakersfield is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Milwaukee (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
Safety is the widest gap: Bakersfield scores 48/100 versus 30/100 in Milwaukee. Rent is $1,472/month in Bakersfield and $1,059/month in Milwaukee, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Milwaukee rent at $1,059/month is still below Bakersfield's $1,472, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,472 in Bakersfield.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Bakersfield; Milwaukee only makes sense when you have walked the Milwaukee ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,059 rent.
Common questions
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