Bakersfield-Delano receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Bakersfield-Delano
Tucson
Opportunity
36 · Bottom 14%
vs30 · Bottom 7%
Growth
58 · Top 36%
vs58 · Top 37%
Climate
69 · Top 42%
vs64 · Bottom 45%
Physical resilience
15 · Bottom 6%
vs18 · Bottom 7%
Housing affordability
70 · Bottom 12%
vs76 · Bottom 18%
Access
92 · Top 20%
vs73 · Bottom 44%
Economic stability
41 · Bottom 35%
vs47 · Bottom 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Bakersfield-Delano | Tucson | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 915,075 | 1,060,490 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $70,210 | $70,315 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $29,699 | $40,140 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 112/sq mi | 115/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $338,300 | $319,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,300 | $1,212 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.1% | 65.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 8.8% | 5.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.1% | -4.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.8% | 36.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | 14.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 3,215 | 4,790 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 4.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 5.0% | 5.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 98°F | 99°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 41°F | 41°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 6.4" | 11.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 19 mi | 49 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.6 min | 26.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.7 | 39.8 | 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.
Tucson
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Bakersfield-Delano
54
Your Score
49
Area Score
Tucson
52
Your Score
47
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Bakersfield-Delano, CA Metro Area · Tucson, AZ Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology