

Bakersfield, CA vs Modesto, CA
Bakersfield, CA and Modesto, CA are even: each comes out ahead on 14 of 30 statistics where one end is better. Bakersfield, CA leads on Economics. Modesto, CA leads on Crime & Safety.
30 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 2 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 14
- Avg. percentile
- 38
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 14
- Avg. percentile
- 41
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 425,704 46th of 477 | 220,058 108th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $80,540 162nd of 434 | $79,891 167th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $371,700 252nd of 434 | $442,700 298th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 16.3% 268th of 434 | 13.3% 189th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.9 tied 269th of 460 | 104.1 346th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $64,650 tied 249th of 460 | $67,230 197th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,472 tied 251st of 434 | $1,690 tied 302nd of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 494.8 256th of 395 | 582.2 286th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyModesto, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsBakersfield, CA · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Bakersfield, CA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 7.8 298th of 395 | 0.0 tied 1st of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 415.6 325th of 395 | 188.6 166th of 395 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 470.5 340th of 395 | 180.0 188th of 395 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 23.6 248th of 434 | 30.2 386th of 434 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $47,470 tied 323rd of 460 | $50,610 203rd of 460 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 94.0% 113th of 434 | 92.1% 194th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 16.3% 268th of 434 | 13.3% 189th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.9 tied 269th of 460 | 104.1 346th of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 90.3 tied 184th of 460 | 108.5 251st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,472 tied 251st of 434 | $1,690 tied 302nd of 434 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $64,650 tied 249th of 460 | $67,230 197th of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $371,700 252nd of 434 | $442,700 298th of 434 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,235.0 245th of 395 | 1,837.5 204th of 395 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 494.8 256th of 395 | 582.2 286th of 395 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 23.6% 341st of 434 | 21.2% 370th of 434 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 158.3 tied 414th of 460 | 152.3 392nd of 460 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $80,540 162nd of 434 | $79,891 167th of 434 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Bakersfield, CA or Modesto, CA?
- Bakersfield, CA and Modesto, CA are even: each comes out ahead on 14 of 30 statistics where one end is better. Bakersfield, CA leads on Economics. Modesto, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Bakersfield, CA or Modesto, CA?
- Bakersfield, CA has a population of 425,704 (46th of 477 US cities) and Modesto, CA has 220,058 (108th of 477).
- How do Bakersfield, CA and Modesto, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Bakersfield, CA $80,540 (162nd of 434), Modesto, CA $79,891 (167th of 434) among US cities. Bakersfield, CA ranks better.
- How do Bakersfield, CA and Modesto, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Bakersfield, CA $371,700 (252nd of 434), Modesto, CA $442,700 (298th of 434) among US cities. Bakersfield, CA ranks better.
- Where does Bakersfield, CA beat Modesto, CA most clearly?
- Bakersfield, CA ranks far ahead on Average Commute (Minutes) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 23.6 vs 30.2; Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 94.0% vs 92.1%; Price Level (All Items) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 100.9 vs 104.1.
- Where does Modesto, CA beat Bakersfield, CA most clearly?
- Modesto, CA ranks far ahead on Murder Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 0.0 vs 7.8; Burglary Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 188.6 vs 415.6; Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 180.0 vs 470.5.
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