Bend OR vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Bend
65.5%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 106,274 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 10.2% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.1% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.8% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 11.2% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $85,364 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 21.8% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $970,905 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 47.9% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bend +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.9% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 8.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.8% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 51.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 20.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, 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 512 in Boulder. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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