City comparison
No. Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,472 in Bakersfield.
The cost gap between Oklahoma City and Bakersfield is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 23% cheaper on typical rent ($1,130 vs $1,472), which over a year adds up to $4,104. Median household income runs $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $80,540 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. Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Bakersfield are 1,208 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, up $342 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $80,540 in Bakersfield, up $11,884 (17%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 148 in Bakersfield, down 35 points (19%).
The move
Bakersfield and Oklahoma City are 1,208 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $342 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $11,884 (15%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 35 points (24%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 23% cheaper than Bakersfield
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Bakersfield
$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,472 in Bakersfield, so Oklahoma City is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $342/month back in your pocket ($4,104/year). Over five years that's $20,520 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, Oklahoma City 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
17% higher
Bakersfield's median income is 17% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Bakersfield
Winner$80,540
Median household income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Bakersfield (about $11,884 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. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
19% lower crime
Bakersfield's crime index is 19% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
Winner148 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield's crime index is 148 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 12% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Bakersfield scores 12% 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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City 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 17% 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 19% lower than Oklahoma City (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
Bakersfield runs $1,472/month while Oklahoma City sits at $1,130 — roughly 23% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Bakersfield-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below Bakersfield's $1,472, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Oklahoma City and 73°F in Bakersfield.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Oklahoma City; Bakersfield only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Bakersfield at $80,540 income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Bakersfield, plus other cities in OK and CA.
