
However, not every part of Bakersfield is dangerous. That is quite an extreme number and can be a significant cause of concern to those who plan to move to Bakersfield.ĭue to this high crime rate, it is easy to dismiss the area.

In fact, it is 94% higher than the national average. The crime rate is higher than average in Bakersfield, CA. Pros and Cons of Living in Bakersfield, CA – Our Top 4 Cons 1. It is also home to several colleges, including California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield College, and Fresno Pacific University Bakersfield Campus. With 163 schools in the area, it is clear that Bakersfield has a strong and diverse public school system. It offers numerous, well-rated schools to choose from. Is Bakersfield a good place to live? It could be if you have kids. A two hour commute may not be that bad if it is just once a week or once a month. It may even be possible to access LA’s job market from Bakersfield, especially as more and more companies allow for remote and hybrid work models. īut, what if you could access and enjoy all of its amenities, but live in a cheaper location?īakersfield is just a two-hour drive from LA, so if you ever get bored, wish to explore, or want to treat yourself to a weekend getaway, you could easily drive over to Los Angeles and experience all it has to offer. We even named it as one of the best places to move to in California in 2023. We all know that Los Angeles is one of the best cities in California. That makes it an exciting place to live with a bright future. Meanwhile, Downtown Bakersfield has been experiencing a rebirth, as more and more residents move in and rejuvenate the area.Īs a result, new businesses, restaurants, and housing developments like the 17th Place Townhomes have been springing up all across Bakersfield recently and has helped to diversify the city’s economy away from just oil and agriculture. Agriculture generated an even higher number of jobs than the oil sector.īut, the recent influx of new residents, especially from younger generations, has helped to start to revitalize Bakersfield’s economy into a more dynamic city for jobs and opportunities. According to Forbes, the oil industry provided over 16,000 direct jobs in 2020.

Transforming Economyīakersfield’s economy used to rely solely on its oil and agricultural sector.

Of all the pros and cons of living in Bakersfield, CA, this point on affordability is probably the number one reason that has attracted so many new residents to the city. The average home in 2023 is priced around $300,000 to $350,000, according to Zillow. Real estate prices are also an astounding 48% lower in Bakersfield than in the rest of California. Bakersfield might not be outright cheap, its cost of living is very affordable compared to other cities in California.Īlthough Bakersfield is 15% more expensive to live in than the national average, it is actually 18% lower than the California state average. Excellent Cost of Living for CaliforniaĪ reasonable cost of living increases the livability of any city.

Pros and Cons of Living in Bakersfield, CA – Our Top 4 Pros 1.
