Anaheim’s modernity and outdoor activities, climate, neighborhoods, and lower-than-average unemployment rate make it an ideal place for starters. In comparison, Bakersfield’s high-quality schools, low taxes, and several outdoor activities are best for people who want a frugal yet active life.
Anaheim is a Southern California city located just outside of Los Angeles. Once a wine colony, Anaheim has grown into a prosperous and varied mid-sized metropolis. Many people identify Anaheim with Disneyland, but there is much more to the city than just ‘the happiest place on Earth.’
Meanwhile, Bakersfield, California, is about two hours north of Los Angeles, on the Kern River, and directly adjacent to the Sequoia National Forest. Because of its outstanding affordability, quality of life, and housing availability are regarded as a beautiful location to live. The city may not be the most beautiful globally, but it has many promises for future citizens.
This post is for you if you plan to move to one of these cities! We’ve done our research to bring you accurate information. You’ll learn about each city’s pros and cons, cost of living, population, crime rate, weather, and livability score.
List of Contents
What Are the Pros and Cons of Anaheim vs. Bakersfield?
You will enjoy its modernity, Mediterranean climate, neighborhoods, and low unemployment rate in Anaheim. However, the reliance on tourism and overcrowded community may discourage you. Meanwhile, in Bakersfield, you are near Los Angeles with access to quality schools, low taxes, and several activities, but the pollution and the potential natural danger are worth reconsidering.
Living in Anaheim
Pros
- Mediterranean climate
- Neighborhoods
- Lower-than-average unemployment rate
- Modernity and outdoor activities
As a result of its closeness to the Pacific Ocean, Anaheim has a Mediterranean climate. Seasonal average temperatures range from 60 ℉ in December through March to 80 ℉ in April through June, 80 ℉ in July, and 70 ℉ in September through November, depending on location. Anaheim’s year-round temperature ranges from 74 to 54 ℉, with relatively little rainfall.
The Anaheim Hills and the Santa Ana foothills are only two examples of the city’s numerous master-planned towns and neighborhoods. In contrast to the busyness of Downtown Anaheim, these spots are isolated and tranquil, offering stunning views of the city and the surrounding hills of California.
You can locate Anaheim’s government agencies in Downtown Anaheim, which is in the center of the Colonial District, a historic neighborhood. Here you will find City Hall, the police headquarters, the city’s primary library, and the Chamber of Commerce. Several other attractions, such as Anaheim Ice, are situated in the city’s downtown area.
Anaheim had a slightly lower-than-average unemployment rate of 6.8%. More than 22,000 people are employed yearly by the Disneyland Resort and its allied industries, primarily responsible for the city’s economic prosperity. Anaheim Memorial Medical Center and Honda Center are just a few of the other well-known Orange County institutions in the race.
AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Anaheim Memorial Medical Center, Isuzu, Sunny Delight, Panasonic, and Yogurtland are prominent corporations based in Anaheim. Retail commerce, wholesale trade, educational, health, and social services are all tied at 16 % of Anaheim’s employment.
As part of the Anaheim Resort, the Anaheim GardenWalk has 440,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment establishments that serve visitors and residents. There are an estimated 6,000 people who skate at Anaheim Ice each week.
Other popular outdoor activities in Anaheim Hills include bicycling, golfing, and visiting the Oak Canyon Nature Center. The city’s generally favorable weather makes these and other activities ideal for residents. The Disneyland Resort, which includes Disneyland, the Downtown Disney, and Disney California Adventure Park, is also a great place to spend some time if you’re in the Anaheim vicinity.
Cons
- Economy’s reliance on tourism
- Overcrowding
Despite its population, Anaheim is home to roughly 25 million visitors each year from all over the globe. Approximately 68,500 visitors are in the city at any one moment.
The COVID-19 outbreak, for example, had a devastating effect on the economy because of the country’s substantial reliance on tourism. Thus, it impacts the environment and the pricing of goods and services.
The population of Orange County exceeds 3 million and would have a population more significant than the combined totals of 20 other states if it were one. As a tourist destination in the heart of Orange County, Anaheim has a high population density, which implies greater competition and more demand for almost every product and service.
This overpopulation also impacts traffic in and around the city and the region. So, you need to prepare for traffic if you’re a frequent commuter.
Living in Bakersfield
Pros
- Closeness to Los Angeles
- A high-quality school community
- Taxes are low
- Several year-round activities
- Hart Memorial Park
- Fox Theatre
- Kern River Parkway Trail
- California Living Museum
- Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
Bakersfield is a major California city with a vast and diverse population. Because of its suburban vibe, it is an excellent place to relax and unwind.
In addition, Los Angeles is just a short drive away if you’d want to explore a much larger and more fascinating metropolis. It only takes less than two hours to drive from Los Angeles, so you can go exploring whenever you choose.
You’ll have to think about schools if you’re relocating with kids in tow. Fortunately, Bakersfield, California, boasts some of the most outstanding public schools in the nation, so you’re in good hands.
A total of thirty-three elementary schools and eight secondary schools make up the Bakersfield City School District. And eighteen more campuses are available to students in the Kern High School District.
Public schools also abound in the city, and many are top-notch institutions. You’re likely to track one down in your immediate vicinity.
Compared to other communities in California and throughout the nation, Bakersfield has one of the lowest tax rates. The city’s sales tax is 8.5%, and the property tax in Kern County, which includes Bakersfield, is likewise lower.
You’ll still need to pay the state’s high-income tax, of course. On the other hand, the city has one of the lowest tax costs in California.
Bakersfield isn’t a dull place to visit but a community with a long history and various year-round activities. You can spend as much time as you desire because of the pleasant weather.
From museums to national parks, there are numerous things to do here. Here are some of the city’s notable locations:
Cons
- Potential danger from natural catastrophes
- Pollution
There is a greater likelihood of wildfires due to the area’s dry and hot environment. Rain occurs just twice a year, and there is no snowfall for the rest of the year.
Wildfires are a big problem in California, and floods during the rainy season result from those factors.
Earthquake is also a catastrophic danger in the city. So, every person who lives in this area should have a well-stocked emergency kit on hand at all times.
Oil production in Bakersfield and Kern County contributes to a rise in air pollution. Bakersfield is the most polluted city in the United States since it is a significant oil producer. Consequently, you will not have some good air quality in this city.
Kern County is the third-largest oil field in the United States and provides 10% of the nation’s oil supply.
Even though refineries and oil drilling contribute significantly to the city’s and province’s economy, pollution from the sector persists.
Due to the city’s position in the Central Valley, the air will not disperse. It may be tough to live here if you have a chronic lung or respiratory issue.
Anaheim or Bakersfield – Which Is Less Expensive?
The overall cost of living index indicates that Bakersfield is 32.8% less expensive than Anaheim. The most significant component in the cost of living difference is the median home cost. The median home cost is 59% lower in Bakersfield.
The table below presents the cost-of-living indices written in percentage:
| Living expenses | Anaheim | Bakersfield |
| Housing | 257.1% | 105% |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5% | 99.0% |
| Health | 93.4% | 91.6% |
| Utilities | 97.4% | 111.7% |
| Transportation | 118% | 103.6% |
Data is 100 = US National Average
> 100 means more expensive than the national average
< 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing Cost
Bakersfield’s cost of housing is 59.2% less expensive than in Anaheim. Bakersfield’s median home cost is only $311,100, whereas Anaheim has $762,700.
Utility Cost
Bakersfield’s cost of utilities is 14.7% higher than in Anaheim. Bakersfield charges $249.30 per month for essential services, including water, electricity, air conditioning, heating, and rubbish collection for an 85-square-foot apartment, whereas Anaheim charges only $153.19.
Food and Groceries Cost
The cost of food and groceries in Bakersfield is 3.4% less expensive than in Anaheim. For example, the price of white rice is only $5.51 per kilo in Bakersfield, whereas Anaheim has $6.06.
Transportation Cost
Bakersfield’s transportation cost is 12.2% less expensive than in Anaheim. For example, the one-way ticket for local transport in Bakersfield is only $1.70, but $2.00 in Anaheim.
Healthcare Cost
Bakersfield’s healthcare cost is 7.4% less expensive than in Anaheim. In Anaheim, you have to spend approximately $470.11 for R.X. drugs, while in Bakersfield, that is only around $465.26.
Is Anaheim Bigger Than Bakersfield?
Bakersfield’s population is 14.04% larger than Anaheim’s, according to the 2020 U.S. Census estimates. In terms of total area, it is likewise 66.37% bigger than Anaheim.
A Californian city with 50.88 square miles total area, Anaheim is a component of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region in Orange County. At 346,824 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census, it was the most populated town in Orange County, California, and the 56th largest city in America, making it the 10th largest city in the state.
On the other hand, Bakersfield, a California city in Kern County, is located on the southern edge of the Central Valley and San Joaquin Valley, covering around 151.28 square miles. Bakersfield has a population of 403,455, placing it the 48th most populated city in the United States and the 9th in California, according to the 2020 census.
Is Anaheim Safer Than Bakersfield?
With a crime index of 14, Anaheim outranks Bakersfield with a crime level of 5 (with 100 to be the safest). Also, Bakersfield has a crime rate of 44.33 per 1,000 population, whereas the rate in Anaheim is only 29.18. It means that Anaheim is safer than Bakersfield based on criminal records.
There were 17,886 crimes committed in Bakersfield each year, including 15,871 property crimes and 2,015 violent offenses. In addition, it has reported 125 crimes per square mile, significantly greater than California’s 77 crimes per square mile. Considering the crime rate, the chances of becoming a victim of violent and property crime are around 1 in 200 and 1 in 25, respectively, in this city.
Anaheim has a lower crime rate than Bakersfield, 1 in 39 for property offenses and 1 in 279 for violent crimes. Conversely, Anaheim has just 10,122 annual crimes, of which 8,880 are property crimes, and 1,242 are violent. However, Anaheim’s 199 crime record per square mile is higher than the other city.
Is Anaheim Warmer Than Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has year-round temperatures of 41°F to 99°F, while Anaheim’s average varies from 46°F to 85°F. As a result, Bakersfield is warmer than Anaheim.
During the summer months in Bakersfield, the weather is hot, arid, and bright, while the weather is chilly and gloomy during the winter months. For most of the year, the average temperature ranges between 41°F and 99°F, although it is uncommon to see it fall below 33°F or soar over 105°F.
Meanwhile, Anaheim’s winters are long, cold, and partly cloudy, while the city’s summers are short, hot, dry, and sunny. Between 46 ℉ to 85 ℉, the average temperature seldom dips below 39 ℉, nor does it rise beyond 94 ℉.
The ideal time to visit Anaheim and Bakersfield for outdoor activities is from late May to early October and from late June to early September, respectively.
Is Anaheim Better Than Bakersfield?
In terms of the livability index, Anaheim and Bakersfield have both obtained a grade of 62, which means below average. However, each city scored differently in many factors of livability reports.
According to the livability index, Bakersfield has a 62/100 livability rate, placing it in the 44th percentile of all U.S. cities. Bakersfield’s weather (A-), amenities (A+), and housing (B-) all get high marks for livability. The cost of living (F), education (F), crime (F), and employment (D-) aspects are the worst in Bakersfield.
On the other hand, Anaheim also has a livability score of 62/100, which ranks it in the 47th percentile of all U.S. cities. Anaheim has excellent weather (A+) in all of the livability areas, but the cost of living (F), education (F), and housing (D) all received failing grades.
It might be challenging to choose between these places, but the livability score will help you decide which city is the best for you.
Anaheim or Bakersfield – Where do you consider moving? Let us know your thoughts below.