Living in Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield is the 47th-largest city in the US, home to about 422,000 people in 2025. It has grown 4.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.9 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

422,165+4.4% since 2020

Median home value

$371,7004.6 years of median income

Median rent

$1,472/morent plus utilities

Household income

$80,540median, per year

Price level

100.9US average = 100

January / July highs

59° / 98°lows 41° / 71°

Average commute

24 min8% work from home

State income tax

13.3%top rate, graduated

Cost of living in Bakersfield

The median home in Bakersfield is worth $371,700 and the median household earns $80,540 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,472 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area at 100.9, with housing at 90.3 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,700 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.

All items100.9

Housing90.3

Goods105.2

Utilities158.3

Other services100.3

What would my salary be worth in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield weather

Average highs run from 58°F in January to 98°F in July, and January nights average 40°F. It gets 6 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 112 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to May and October to November.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Bakersfield

People and work

The median resident is 32.1 years old, and 24% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 61% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.

Median age

32.160th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

24%adults 25+

Homeowners

61%of households

People per sq mile

2,809150.3 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

0%1% walk, 0.1% bike

Unemployment

7%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

16.3%of residents

Typical home built

1990median year

Who moves to Bakersfield, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Bernardino (San Bernardino County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Fresno (Fresno County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Las Vegas (Clark County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and San Diego (San Diego County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Bakersfield

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Bakersfield College 6 miles
  BeenWant to go
• California State University-Bakersfield 7 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Taft College 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Cesar E. Chavez National Monument National monument 25 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Fort Tejon State park 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• California Living Museum Zoo 9 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Bakersfield

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Bakersfield

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Bakersfield

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 17, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 1 and the first frost comes around December 15.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Bakersfield Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Bakersfield.

Wildfire smoke in Bakersfield

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Bakersfield on about 47 days a year, including about 11 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Bakersfield

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 129,625 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Bakersfield

Downtown Bakersfield is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Panama-Buena Vista School District (19,366 students), Greenfield Union School District (8,860 students), Rosedale Union Elementary School District (6,203 students), Norris Elementary School District (4,153 students), Standard Elementary School District (3,193 students), Fruitvale Elementary School District (3,069 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Bakersfield's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Bakersfield's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Midland, TX70% matchCompare
• Redding, CA70% matchCompare
• Glendale, AZ69% matchCompare
• Denton, TX67% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Bakersfield

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Death Valley National Park International Dark Sky Park 142 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Joshua Tree National Park International Dark Sky Park 202 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park International Dark Sky Park 205 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Bakersfield

• Alta Sierra Ski Resort 36 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mount Waterman 90 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Buckhorn Ski Club 91 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kratka Ridge 91 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Bakersfield

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Bakersfield?

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Cons

• Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
• Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
• Data Summers are long and hot: about 112 days a year reach 90°F.
• Data Air quality is a concern: 65 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Bakersfield report card from locals

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Cities near Bakersfield

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Bakersfield with another city

Bakersfield vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Bakersfield a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 112 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Bakersfield side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Bakersfield?

The Census Bureau estimates Bakersfield had 422,165 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 404,362 in April 2020 (+4.4%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Bakersfield?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,700 in the Bakersfield area. The median household here earns $80,540.

When is the best time to visit Bakersfield?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 98°F and January 58°F for daytime highs.

What county is Bakersfield in?

Bakersfield is in Kern County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Bakersfield in?

Bakersfield is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Bakersfield?

About 404 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does California have a state income tax?

Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Bakersfield. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Bakersfield Airport, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.