Bend OR vs Huntington Beach 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 43.4 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 16.4% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 64.3% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.3% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
47.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.4% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 47.2% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $1,364,265 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.2% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 31.2 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, 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 Huntington Beach. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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