Bakersfield, California
Overall Score 5.2/10
Michele Wilbert|
What’s it like to live in Bakersfield, CA?
Bakersfield has long been known as a stopover for those traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco. But people who consider putting down roots in the area will find a healthy job market and an affordable place to raise a family. In fact, it's Bakersfield's strong sense of community and family and its booming oil and agriculture industries that keep the region thriving.
In some ways, Bakersfield feels like Texas: Oil rigs dot the horizon, and the area has a history of honky-tonks and country music. But the metro area's location in the fertile San Joaquin Valley has instilled in residents the love of fresh, locally sourced foods, which is at the heart of California culture.
See all the best places to live in California.
What is there to do in Bakersfield, CA?
Bakersfield residents find plenty of ways to enjoy the region's pleasant weather, from parks within the city limits to trails in the nearby Sequoia and Los Padres national forests.
What’s the cost of living in Bakersfield, CA?
Bakersfield is more affordable than most other parts of California. Purchasing a home in Bakersfield will cost much less than in Los Angeles.
Bakersfield residents spend more than the average American on everyday expenses like utilities and transportation, but that amount pales in comparison to what Los Angeles residents spend. As a result, some of L.A. County's workforce opts to live in the Bakersfield area.
Best Local Services in Bakersfield:
Bakersfield offers a lower value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income.
Housing Costs 2022
- National Average
- $383,883
- Bakersfield, CA
- $370,572
Housing Costs Over Time
Data sourced from Zillow median home sale price data series. Additional data provided by the Austin Board of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, Intermountain MLS, Omaha Area Board of Realtors, San Antonio Board of Realtors, and the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. Due to differences within the data source, home prices are not comparable across metro areas.
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What’s the weather like in Bakersfield, CA?
The Bakersfield area features a dry climate and experiences hot summers and mild winters. Spring arrives as early as February or March, with tulips peeking out of the ground.
Average Seasonal Temperature (°F)
- WINTER
- 49.4°
- FALL
- 66.4°
- SPRING
- 63.6°
- SUMMER
- 81.2°
Average Seasonal Rainfall (in)
- WINTER
- 1.2"
- FALL
- 0.6"
- SPRING
- 1.2"
- SUMMER
- 0.1"
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
Monthly High and Low Temperature (°F)
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
What's the best way to get around Bakersfield, CA?
Given the size of the metro area and the distance of some commutes, many people living in Bakersfield drive to work. Biking is also a popular commuting option and hobby, as the region features numerous bike lanes and a 30-mile bike path.
The Golden Empire Transit District operates public buses servicing the greater Bakersfield area, including nearby communities like Oildale and Stockdale.
Meadows Field Airport is serviced by American Airlines, United Airlines and regional airline Aha. Amtrak trains stop in downtown Bakersfield on their daily route from the San Francisco area. Bakersfield is also serviced by charter bus companies like Greyhound.
Given the size of the metro area and the distance of some commutes, many people living in Bakersfield drive to work. Biking is also a popular commuting option and hobby, as the region features numerous bike lanes and a 30-mile bike path.
The Golden Empire Transit District operates public buses servicing the greater Bakersfield area, including nearby communities like Oildale and Stockdale.
Meadows Field Airport is serviced by American Airlines, United Airlines and regional airline Aha. Amtrak trains stop in downtown Bakersfield on their daily route from the San Francisco area. Bakersfield is also serviced by charter bus companies like Greyhound.
Commuting in Bakersfield, CA
- Average Commute Time
- 23.7 minutes
3.1 minutes less than national average.
81.8%
4.2%
2.5%
0.5%
Driving
Public Transit
Walking
Bicycling
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Who lives in Bakersfield, CA?
Bakersfield is home to a multigenerational, multicultural population. Diversity can be seen throughout the region in the wide variety of small mom-and-pop restaurants and shops selling international foods and goods. The metro area is known for its Basque restaurants, which have remained in the area long after people from the Pyrenees region of France and Spain first came to Bakersfield in search of gold.
Much of Bakersfield's population is of working age. Because of high-performing schools, neighborhoods in the northwest part of the metro area are particularly attractive to families.
Age Distribution
Marital Status Breakdown
About the same number of single people in Bakersfield as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Marital Status Breakdown
About the same number of single people in Bakersfield as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.