Firstly why Bakersfield, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Bakersfield
• State: California
• Population: 403,455 people
• Bakersfield’s quick summary would be Known for its contributions to country music and the annual Kern County Fair.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 30,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 25,000 annually
• Net Migration: 5000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 9,000
• Number of Homeless people: 4,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a strong job market in agriculture and oil appealing to workers

Perk #1: Bakersfield Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 30%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 57%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $57,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Bakersfield is $61,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $4000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Bakersfield’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,509
• Property Tax %: 1.19%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,300
• Rent for an average house: $1,800
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Seven Oaks
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Bakersfield, Seven-Oaks, Rosedale, Southwest-Bakersfield, and probably could include Northwest-Bakersfield
• Avg. Age of Homes in Bakersfield: 48 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.8%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Bakersfield’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Bakersfield are  Agriculture, Energy, and Manufacturing
• Bakersfield Job Scene: stable job market focused on agriculture and energy
• The General Tech Scene: small tech community concentrated in energy and agriculture-related innovations , ,
• Bakersfield Resident’s pay $1,000 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Bakersfield: 8.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 180 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 20

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Bakersfield

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
• Freeway Access: Highway 99 serves as a major route through Bakersfield
• Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: backups on the Golden State Highway
• Transportation Score: 43 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Bakersfield: 230,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 7 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Bakersfield: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 60 of 100
• Local Airport: Meadows Field

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Bakersfield’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Bakersfield is best described as experiences very hot summers with temperatures above 100°F and mild winters with little rainfall
• Winter Weather in Bakersfield i’d describe as mild and dry
• Spring Weather in Bakersfield can be described as hot and dry
• Summer’s in Bakersfield are mostly very hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Bakersfield is usually warm and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 25 days in summer
• Days in a row in Bakersfield below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 6 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality noted for high ozone levels
• Bakersfield Winter Air poor air quality during winter months due to pollutants

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Bakersfield Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Bakersfield 4
• While the number of trade schools inside Bakersfields’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Bakersfield City Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Bakersfield Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 7 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Bakersfield only Doctors is about 175
• Local Hospitals here is  8
• Full-time Bakersfield only Police Officers is about 500
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Bakersfield’s Monthly utility bill average is $170
• Bakersfield’s Monthly Gym Membership: $55
• Bakersfield’s Water Quality Score: 68

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Bakersfield

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 10 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: industrial town with a focus on agriculture and music heritage
• You might enjoy live music at local venues
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Bakersfield  features a growing nightlife scene with bars clubs and live music venues for fun evenings out

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Bakersfield

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes Southern comfort food diners and fast food
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 90 scattered around Bakersfield
• The Popular Sports Team is Bakersfield Blaze
• Top Level Political Climate in Bakersfield can be described as conservative and agricultural-focused community
• Bakersfield’s Longer standing religious establishment is Grace Bible Fellowship

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Bakersfield Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Bakersfield has 75 Parks?
• Bakersfield College Farm is Bakersfield’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Bakersfield Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, agriculture tours, and fishing

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Bakersfield Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Bakersfield can be described as fast-paced urban life centered on oil and agriculture
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Bakersfield playing sports attending local events visiting the fair
• The Cities people commute to from Bakersfield are Delano 31 miles away Tehachapi 38 miles away Wasco 29 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Bakersfield or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: backups on the Golden State Highway. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Bakersfield’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Seven Oaks is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Bakersfield are Delano 31 miles away Tehachapi 38 miles away Wasco 29 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Bakersfield has 0 days in a row below freezing and 25 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Bakersfield people have an average (positive or negative) $4000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   4,000 homeless people living in Bakersfield. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservative and agricultural-focused community could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Bakersfield.

Retiree & Senior Life in Bakersfield

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for incentives aimed at reducing property taxes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Bakersfield
• Bakersfield Senior Center provides meal programs activities and social gatherings

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Bakersfield, California?

If Bakersfield, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Bakersfield, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!