Bakersfield, CA vs Wake Forest, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Bakersfield
66.5
#1531 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Wake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 15.2). Bakersfield leads in walk score (37 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $73,827).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.5 (#1531) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 413,381 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $391,030 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 15.2 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.1 | D+25.6 |
D
66.5 Score
Bakersfield, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$391,030
Population
413,381
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Bakersfield, CA →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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