Bend OR vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 65.5% | 45.4% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 6.0% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $88,316 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $36,037 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.3% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 10.4% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 26.0% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 35.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.1% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 16.8% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.1% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.2% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 48.7°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 37.8 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 30.4 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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