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Oakland vs Bakersfield: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Oakland has a crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 residents vs Bakersfield's 24.5 per 1,000, making Bakersfield 10% safer overall. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade compared to Oakland's C. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C

Oakland

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate27.3/1K
Percentile39%
C+

Bakersfield

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate24.5/1K
Percentile46%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricOaklandBakersfield
Overall Crime Rate27.3/1K24.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate483.2363.0
Property Crime Rate2243.22089.0
Murder Rate6.15.3
Assault Rate332.4237.2
Robbery Rate122.981.9
Burglary Rate242.5319.3
Theft Rate1707.01830.1
Vehicle Theft Rate538.5425.1

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Oakland is safer in 2 and Bakersfield is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Oakland, you have a 1 in 37 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 41 in Bakersfield.

Full Safety Reports

C
Oakland, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oakland safer than Bakersfield?
As of 2026, Bakersfield is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Oakland's 27.3. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade vs Oakland's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Oakland or Bakersfield?
Oakland has more violent crime at 483 per 100,000 residents. Bakersfield is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Oakland vs Bakersfield?
Oakland has a crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 (violent: 483/100K, property: 2243/100K). Bakersfield has 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K).
Should I move to Oakland or Bakersfield?
From a safety perspective, Bakersfield has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Oakland (pop. 440,838) and Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Bakersfield's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Oakland and Bakersfield compare for property crime?
Bakersfield has lower property crime at 2089 per 100K vs Oakland's 2243. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Oakland vs San JoseOakland vs San FranciscoOakland vs FresnoBakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs Fresno

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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