Bend OR vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 65.5% | 35.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 6.9% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $62,894 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $41,142 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 19.7% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 36.0% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 42.0% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 38.0% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.1% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 24.0% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.6% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 48.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 29.6 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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