City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 148 in Bakersfield, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Bakersfield is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Raleigh 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 $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,472 in Bakersfield, and median household income lands at $85,395 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. Bakersfield costs less and Raleigh 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Raleigh and Bakersfield are 2,253 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,472 a month in Bakersfield, down $100 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $80,540 in Bakersfield, down $4,855 (6%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 148 in Bakersfield, up 6 points (4%).
The move
Bakersfield and Raleigh are 2,253 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Bakersfield to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $100 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $80,540 in Bakersfield to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $4,855 (6%).
The crime index goes from 148 in Bakersfield to 142 in Raleigh, down 6 points (4%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Bakersfield rent is 6% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Bakersfield
Winner$1,472/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Bakersfield versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Bakersfield is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $100, or $1,200 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Bakersfield? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Raleigh's median income is 6% higher than Bakersfield
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Bakersfield
$80,540
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $80,540 in Bakersfield, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Raleigh (about $4,855 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
4% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 4% lower than Bakersfield
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Bakersfield
148 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 148 in Bakersfield (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 4% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, 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
16% more comfortable
Bakersfield weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Bakersfield
Winner73°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Bakersfield averages about 73°F (87°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Bakersfield sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Bakersfield scores 16% 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 Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 4% lower than Bakersfield (142 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Bakersfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% 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.
Pick Bakersfield if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 16%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Bakersfield is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Bakersfield runs 73°F typical weather against 60°F in Raleigh (comfort scores 100 vs 86). Housing is $1,472/month versus $1,572/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
Bakersfield rent at $1,472/month is still below Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 49/100 in Raleigh and 48/100 in Bakersfield.
If climate drives your move, Raleigh is the stronger match (60°F typical weather versus 73°F). 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
Ready to move to Bakersfield?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Bakersfield when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Bakersfield, plus other cities in NC and CA.
