City comparison
No. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Oakland and Bakersfield split most clearly. Bakersfield scores 286 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,979 in Oakland and $1,472 in Bakersfield.
This is a genuine split. Oakland 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
Oakland and Bakersfield are 246 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $507 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $21,060 (21%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 148 in Bakersfield, down 286 points (66%).
The move
Bakersfield and Oakland are 246 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $507 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $101,600 in Oakland, up $21,060 (26%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 434 in Oakland, up 286 points (193%).
Oakland, 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 Oakland and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 26% cheaper than Oakland
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Bakersfield is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $507/month back in your pocket ($6,084/year). Over five years that's $30,420 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 Oakland, 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
26% higher
Oakland's median income is 26% higher than Bakersfield
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Bakersfield
$80,540
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Oakland (about $21,060 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, Oakland 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
66% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 66% lower than Oakland
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 66% 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. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Oakland and Bakersfield are about even on typical weather.
Oakland
68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Bakersfield
73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Oakland sits near 68°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
Oakland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 26% higher here ($101,600). Start with Oakland 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 26% 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 66% lower than Oakland (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 15/100 in Oakland. Rent is $1,472/month in Bakersfield and $1,979/month in Oakland, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Oakland still pays more locally ($101,600 median income vs $80,540), which can offset the lease if your field pays Oakland rates.
Median income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $80,540 in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield is ahead on safety (48/100 vs 15/100); Oakland is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,979/month rent plus $101,600 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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