Bend OR vs Berkeley CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 120,223 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 65.5% | 54.8% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 12.1% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 16.8% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $1,451,222 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 43.3% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.1% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Berkeley
26.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 58.1°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 26.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.2 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $735,193. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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