Bend OR vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Bend
65.5%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 100,501 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 40.5 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 12.9% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 2.8% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.0% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,697 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $570,592 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 370 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 30.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 51.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 42.2 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 26.4 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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%.
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