Bakersfield, CA vs Roanoke, VA
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
Roanoke
69.5
#1203 nationally
Bakersfield leads in median household income ($73,827 vs $51,523). Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 123). Roanoke leads in average commute (20.9 min vs 23.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.5 (#1531) | 69.5 (#1203) |
| Population | 413,381 | 97,171 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $391,030 | $283,969 |
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $51,523 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 20.9 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 15.2 | 17.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.1 | D+23.6 |
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+
69.5 Score
Roanoke, VA
Virginia community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$283,969
Population
97,171
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Northeast
View Roanoke, VA →