Bakersfield, CA vs Laurel, MD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Bakersfield
66.5
#1531 nationally
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Laurel leads in walk score (53 vs 37). Bakersfield leads in average commute (23.6 min vs 33.5 min). Laurel leads in crime level (10.8 vs 15.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.5 (#1531) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 413,381 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $391,030 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 15.2 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.1 | D+13.9 |
D
66.5 Score
Bakersfield, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$391,030
Population
413,381
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Bakersfield, CA →
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →