The Bakersfield metro is home to 910,433 people (up 3.1% over five years), with a median household income of $67,660. Typical rent of $1,822/month works out to 32.3% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Bakersfield's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 22.1% |
| Agriculture & mining | 12.9% |
| Retail trade | 10.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.3% |
| Professional & management | 8.1% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 32.3% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Bakersfield market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,822/month suggests a household income around $73,000/year. The metro's median household income is $67,660.
By workforce share: Education & health care (22.1%), Agriculture & mining (12.9%), Retail trade (10.9%) (Census ACS 5-year).