Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 97,502 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 39.9% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Bend
$51,659
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Bend
49.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $51,659 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 49.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $735,193 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 49.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.7% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Bend
46.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.1 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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