Bend OR vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Boise
7.2%
White
Bend
65.5%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.2 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 7.2% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.4% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.5% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $81,308 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $48,274 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,074 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 10.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 46.6% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 49.9°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 18.6 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Bend, OR vs New York, NYBend, OR vs Los Angeles, CABend, OR vs Chicago, ILBend, OR vs Houston, TXBend, OR vs Phoenix, AZBend, OR vs Philadelphia, PA