Best for affordability: Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California looks like the easiest place here to live with less financial drag. It comes out ahead on rent burden and rent.
What Stands Out
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Bakersfield, California looks like the easiest place here to live with less financial drag. It comes out ahead on rent burden and rent.
Modesto, California is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on daily convenience, weaker on safety.
Modesto, California needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on tax burden.
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | ||
| General Info | ||
| Population | 211,266 | 373,640 |
| Population Density | N/A | 2.7k /sq mi |
| Elevation | 92 ft(28 m) | 404 ft(123 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | ||
| Median Home | $436,258 | $388,867 |
| Median Rent | $2,029 | $1,959 |
| Median Income | $73,375 | $73,827 |
| Rent Burden | 33% | 32% |
| Climate & Risks | ||
| Sunny Days | 335 days/yr | 352 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 78°F | 82°F |
| Comfort Score | 67/100Good | 63/100Good |
| Temp Swing | 45°F | 47°F |
| Annual Rainfall | 17"(43 cm) | 11"(28 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0"(0 cm) | 0"(0 cm) |
| Air Quality | AQI 49 (Avg)42 days > 100 | AQI 49 (Avg)64 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | ||
| Walk Score | 65 | 45 |
| Transit Score | 59 | 49 |
| Safety Score | 56 / 100 | 62 / 100 |
| School Rating | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 |
| Flood Risk (FEMA) | N/A | minimalMinimal Risk |
| Fire Risk (FEMA) | N/A | minimalMinimal |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 22%Cable: 95% | Fiber: 27%Cable: 94% |
| Demographics | ||
| Median Age | 34.9 years | 31.5 years |
| College Educated | 20% | 23% |
| 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 Modesto | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Bakersfield |
Essays and data-led lenses on climate, cost, geography, and the shape of daily life.
Collections group cities around a decision lens, not just a category.
Cities where cold rarely takes over daily life.
Sunny highland cities that stay much milder than you expect.
Places that quietly out-rain their sunny reputations.