Bakersfield, CA vs Santa Barbara, 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
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Bakersfield leads in cost of living index (123 vs 225). Santa Barbara leads in walk score (61 vs 37). Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 23.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.5 (#1531) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 413,381 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $391,030 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 15.2 | 17.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.1 | D+26.7 |
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 →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Bakersfield for: