City comparison
Yes. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,472 in Bakersfield.
Omaha and Bakersfield are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,187 in Omaha and $1,472 in Bakersfield, and median household income lands at $73,201 versus $80,540. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Omaha costs less and Bakersfield pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Omaha at $1,187 average has pockets that run $987 and others at $1,587: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Omaha and Bakersfield are 1,311 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, up $285 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $80,540 in Bakersfield, up $7,339 (10%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 148 in Bakersfield, up 7 points (5%).
The move
Bakersfield and Omaha are 1,311 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $285 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $73,201 in Omaha, down $7,339 (9%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 141 in Omaha, down 7 points (5%).
Omaha, NE
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 Omaha and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Omaha rent is 19% cheaper than Bakersfield
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Bakersfield
$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,472 in Bakersfield, so Omaha is 19% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,420, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Omaha still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Bakersfield.
Planning to buy in Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Bakersfield's median income is 10% higher than Omaha
Omaha
$73,201
Bakersfield
Winner$80,540
Median household income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Bakersfield (about $7,339 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
5% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 5% lower than Bakersfield
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Omaha. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Omaha, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Bakersfield. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 20% more comfortable than Omaha
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Omaha averages around 59°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 20% 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 Omaha if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Omaha is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 19% cheaper here at about $1,187 a month. Choose Omaha if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Omaha is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 5% lower than Bakersfield (141 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.
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 10% 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.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,187/month in Omaha versus $1,472 in Bakersfield. Median income reads $73,201 in Omaha and $80,540 in Bakersfield, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Omaha rent at $1,187/month is still below Bakersfield's $1,472, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,540 in Bakersfield versus $73,201 in Omaha.
If housing cost drives your move, Omaha is the stronger match ($1,187/month rent against $1,472). If an employer or family tie already points to Bakersfield, treat $1,472/month rent and $80,540 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Omaha and Bakersfield, plus other cities in NE and CA.
