Bakersfield, CA vs Riverside, CA
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
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Bakersfield leads in average commute (23.6 min vs 31.3 min). Riverside leads in walk score (43 vs 37). Bakersfield leads in cost of living index (123 vs 140).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.5 (#1531) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 413,381 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $391,030 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 15.2 | 16.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.1 | R+1.3 |
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-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →
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