Bend OR vs Fremont 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.8 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 65.5% | 19.4% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 2.9% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 12.9% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Fremont
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $1,538,830 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 59.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 16.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 33.9 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $735,193. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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