Bend OR vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Charlotte
6.3%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Charlotte
17.0%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 65.5% | 41.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 6.3% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 17.0% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Charlotte
$78,438
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Charlotte
$49,991
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Charlotte
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Charlotte
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Charlotte
47.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $78,438 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $49,991 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 11.7% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 47.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $399,070 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Charlotte
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Charlotte
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Charlotte
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Charlotte
11.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 30.1% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.1% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.4% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 59.9°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 41.6 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 26.7 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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