Bend OR vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 5.0% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 51.3% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.2% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.5% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $43,454 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $26,381 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,300 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 9.7% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 27.1% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 20.7% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 48.2% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 42.9% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.6% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.2% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 20.5% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 54.1°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 40.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. 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%.
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