Bend OR vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 13.9% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 35.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.0% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $76,083 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $29,766 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.1% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 15.5% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 20.1% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 30.6% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.3% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.9% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 62.1°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 33.0 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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