Bend OR vs Brownsville TX — 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%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 65.5% | 45.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 0.3% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 0.8% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $48,675 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $21,338 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 24.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 22.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 40.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 18.7% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 36.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 74.5°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 27.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. 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%.
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