Housing and tax tradeoff: Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California comes out ahead here on rent burden and rent. This only compares rent burden, rent, home price, and estimated state tax burden; it is not a total cost-of-living ranking.
Demand-Backed Comparison
Compare Bakersfield vs Modesto on cost, climate, safety, and daily life
People have logged this comparison 19 times on WhyThere. The cards open full city pages. The charts and matrix below are the fast side-by-side read on housing, climate, walkability, safety, schools, parks, and day-to-day tradeoffs.
BakersfieldModesto
What Stands Out
A quick read on this comparison
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Biggest tradeoff: Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on affordability, weaker on climate comfort.
Potential dealbreaker: Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on tax burden.
Comparison Matrix
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | ||
| General Info | ||
| Population | 373,640 | 211,266 |
| Population Density | 2.7k /sq mi | N/A |
| Elevation | 404 ft(123 m) | 92 ft(28 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | ||
| Median Home | $388,867 | $436,258 |
| Median Rent | $1,959 | $2,029 |
| Median Income | $73,827 | $73,375 |
| Rent Burden | 32% | 33% |
| Climate & Risks | ||
| Sunny Days | 352 days/yr | 335 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 82°F | 78°F |
| Comfort Score | 63/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Temp Swing | 47°F | 45°F |
| Annual Rainfall | 11"(28 cm) | 17"(43 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0"(0 cm) | 0"(0 cm) |
| Air Quality | AQI 49 (Avg)64 days > 100 | AQI 49 (Avg)42 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | ||
| Central walkability | 82 | 86 |
| Transit Score | 49 | 59 |
| Safety Score | 62 / 100 | 56 / 100 |
| School Rating | 5.2/10 | 5.3/10 |
| Flood Risk (FEMA) | minimalMinimal Risk | minimalMinimal Risk |
| Fire Risk (FEMA) | minimalMinimal | N/A |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 27%Cable: 94% | Fiber: 22%Cable: 95% |
| Demographics | ||
| Median Age | 31.5 years | 34.9 years |
| College Educated | 23% | 20% |
| Remote Workers | 7% | 7% |
| Nature Access | ||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | ||
Plan a first lookWays to plan a first visit or connect with a relevant local partner. | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Bakersfield | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Modesto |
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