Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Bend
17.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 97,502 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 17.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 15.8% | 2.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 17.3% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Bend
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $735,193 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 49.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Bend
3001
Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.7% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Bend
46.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Bend
11.4 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 26.1 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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