Best Places to Live in Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield, California is an enchanting city with plenty of attractions to explore. Visitors can take in the local culture and flavor at the Kern County Fairgrounds or explore the scenic trails and gardens of Enchanted Forest Park. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Kern County Museum, while art lovers can explore galleries and theatres throughout the city. Outdoor enthusiasts can kayak down aqueducts or learn about natural wonders on a boat ride. With its warm climate, unique history and plenty of activities for all ages, Bakersfield promises to provide any visitor with an unforgettable experience. Mid-sized city - South-central California, at the southern end of the Central Valley.

State: California
County: Kern County
Metro Area: Bakersfield Metro Area
City: Bakersfield

Zip Codes: 93307, 93306, 93309, 93312, 93313, 93304, 93311, 93305, 93301, 93220, 10 total
Cost of Living: 3.4% higher
Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Elevation: 492 ft above sea level

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Bakersfield, Ca Housing Market

Least Expensive Homes	Homes Over 2,000 Sq. Ft.
Most Expensive Homes	Homes less than 10 yrs old
All Single Family Homes

Pros
Cost of living
Low rainfall
Mild winters

Cons
Air quality
High unemployment
Summer heat

What Bert Has To Say About Bakersfield Metro Area

Bakersfield is a quiet agricultural and industrial town located in one of the driest inhabited areas of California. Irrigated agriculture, mostly cotton, orchard crops and grapes lies to the north, and a large oil industry supported by nearby fields operates in and around the city. There isn’t much to do. But the area is becoming a refuge for southern Californians looking to escape the high costs and bustle of the LA Basin, which starts about 80 miles and across a mountain range south. The area is also picking up businesses looking for an inexpensive location with southern California access; thus the economy is improving after years of malaise.

Highlights

ECONOMY

The unemployment rate in Bakersfield is 8.0% (U.S. avg. is 6.0%). Recent job growth is Positive. Bakersfield jobs have increased by 1.2%. More Economy

COST OF LIVING

Compared to the rest of the country, Bakersfield's cost of living is 3.4% higher than the U.S. average. More Cost of Living or Compare Bakersfield's Cost of Living

WEATHER & CLIMATE

October, May and April are the most pleasant months in Bakersfield, while July and August are the least comfortable months. Today's Weather | Climate Averages

VOTING

In the last Presidential election, Kern county remained strongly Republican, 53.9% to 43.7%. More Voting Stats

POPULATION

Bakersfield's population is 398,756 people. Since 2020, it has had a population growth of 12.3%. Learn More...

TRANSPORTATION

Average Commute time is 22.6 minutes. The National Average is 26.4 minutes. Learn More...

REAL ESTATE

The median home cost in Bakersfield is Real Estate: $349,300. Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 11.4%.

SCHOOLS

Bakersfield public schools spend $8,308 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. There are about 25.8 students per teacher in Bakersfield. More Education

Best Places to Live in Bakersfield Rankings

#13	Best Cities for Teleworking - Small Metro Areas
#26	Drought-Riskiest Cities
#34	America's Most (and Least) Stressful Cities (100 Largest Metro Areas)
#36	Most Comfortable Summer Cities
#37	America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Large Metro Areas)

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Housing Market in Bakersfield

It's a good time to buy in Bakersfield. Home Appreciation is up 11.4% in the last 12 months.
The median home price in Bakersfield is $349,300.

Schools: See Local Schools

Real Estate: See Homes

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Reviews for Bakersfield 75 Reviews

Bakersfield is good. But it has ways to go. - 2/20/2023
I am a millennial, born and raised here. As someone who wrestled with staying for years, there are a lot of valid reasons to not come to Bakersfield. Air quality, summer... Read More

Mallory | Bakersfield, CA | Reply | No Replies

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Gotta get out of here - 8/27/2021
I have lived here all of my life. 40+ years. It used to be fun and kinda safe but now it is so scary to go outside. We are literally a homeless dumping ground and there... Read More

Michele | Bakersfield, CA | Reply | 1 Reply

It’s better than you may think! - 7/5/2020
I moved here from Seattle 25 years ago, when it had a population of 200,000, and practically the only place to get coffee was a place called “Duke’s Ranch”. Why did I... Read More

Carol | Bakersfield, CA | Reply | 1 Reply

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ZIP CODES IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA

93307, 93306, 93309, 93312, 93313, 93304, 93311, 93305, 93301, 93220, 10 total

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United States / California / Bakersfield Metro Area / Kern County / Bakersfield / Zip Codes