Bakersfield-Delano and Fresno receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Bakersfield-Delano | Fresno | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 915,075 | 1,177,665 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $70,210 | $74,468 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $29,699 | $32,569 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 112/sq mi | 145/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $338,300 | $389,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,300 | $1,392 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.1% | 57.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 8.8% | 7.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.1% | -0.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.8% | 23.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | 18.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 3,215 | 3,391 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 2.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 5.0% | -7.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 98°F | 98°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 41°F | 41°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 6.4" | 11.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 19 mi | 8 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.6 min | 25.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.7 | 33.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Bakersfield-Delano
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, heat wave, earthquake.
Fresno
Elevated or high exposure: drought, earthquake, wildfire.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Bakersfield-Delano, CA Metro Area · Fresno, CA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology