Bend OR vs Chattanooga TN — 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%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Chattanooga
58.4%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.6 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 7.7% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 58.4% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Chattanooga
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $61,028 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $40,040 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,097 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 35.5% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 639 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2350 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 36.3% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 16.7% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 60.9°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 52.5 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 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