1% Mental Health Services surtax on income over $1M (13.3% top rate)
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.96%
metro-area
#118 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,712
metro-area
#103 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
74.2 years
metro-area
#168 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,200
state
#139 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.7%
metro-area
#90 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
48
metro-area
#188 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$19,000
state
#178 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$300
state
#174 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.65% of value (~$182/yr)
state
#115 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Smog check every 2 years in most counties
DMV & license offices
14
Avg commute to work
24 min
metro-area
#92 of 200
Commute by driving alone
79.2%
metro-area
#165 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
25.4%
metro-area
#46 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
35.3¢/kWh
state
#181 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$317
state
#181 of 200
Gasoline
$4.85/gal
state
#182 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$138
state
#159 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#135 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#154 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
98.9 — Relatively High
metro-area
#181 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$950
state
#182 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
72
metro-area
#197 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,000
metro-area
#78 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
72%
state
#171 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,200
metro-area
#51 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
100
metro-area
#184 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
24
metro-area
#194 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
84°F
metro-area
#37 of 200
Avg winter low
45°F
metro-area
#20 of 200
Annual precipitation
6.5"
metro-area
#2 of 200
Annual snowfall
0.0"
metro-area
#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
80%
metro-area
#6 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
9b
Frost window
01-31 → 12-31
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
500
state
#161 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,330
state
#112 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
35
metro-area
#133 of 200
Parks
44
Hiking areas
4
Golf courses
17
Shooting ranges
13
Lakes
2
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; CEQA + local review, esp. SF/coastal
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Bakersfield
Major public and private employers in the Bakersfield, CA area.
