Bend OR vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Flint
2.9%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 80,835 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 2.9% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 34.4% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 0.6% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 4.5% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $36,194 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $20,799 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,052 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 17.4% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 34.4% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 13.1% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 471 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 50.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 19.3% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 23.5% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 25.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Flint
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 47.0°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 31.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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