Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Bend
17.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 97,502 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 17.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 7.5% | 2.8% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 17.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Bend
$51,659
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Bend
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Bend
49.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $51,659 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 49.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $735,193 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 49.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Bend
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Bend
10.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.0% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.1 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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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