Bend OR vs Bloomington MN — 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%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Bloomington
14.1%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Bloomington
9.5%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 71,261 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.3 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 14.1% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 72.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 2.8% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.5% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.1% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Bloomington
$44,640
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Bloomington
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Bloomington
36.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $44,640 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,467 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 36.1% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $366,438 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1992 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Bloomington
26.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bloomington
8.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Bloomington
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Bloomington
11.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 26.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 8.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.2% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.4% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.0 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bloomington 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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