Albany NY vs Bend OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Albany
53.0%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 97,502 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 53.0% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Bend
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $735,193 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 49.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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