Bend OR vs Elk Grove CA — 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%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Elk Grove
39.0
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 177,221 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 39.0 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 65.5% | 34.9% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 18.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Elk Grove
$44,932
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Elk Grove
38.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $44,932 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 38.0% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $637,623 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Elk Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Elk Grove
10.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 33.7 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while elk Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $637,623. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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