Bend OR vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 65.5% | 38.7% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 2.0% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 11.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 11.7% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $1,566,872 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 43.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Irvine
14.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 65.3°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 14.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Bend, OR vs New York, NYBend, OR vs Los Angeles, CABend, OR vs Chicago, ILBend, OR vs Houston, TXBend, OR vs Phoenix, AZBend, OR vs Philadelphia, PA