Bend OR vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 39.8 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 65.5% | 60.1% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $629,864 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 59.4°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 46.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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