Bend OR vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Bend
65.5%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.0 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 8.5% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.4% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.1% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $85,789 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $51,218 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 45.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bend +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 10.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.7% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 51.4°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 17.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 28.6 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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