Bend OR vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 65.5% | 28.7% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.8% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 15.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 28.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.0% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 40.3 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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