Bend OR vs Long 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.8 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 65.5% | 41.6% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Long Beach
$83,969
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $83,969 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $42,370 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 15.0% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 34.8% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $862,599 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 40.9% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Long Beach
27.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Long Beach
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 27.4% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.7% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.9% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.9% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Long Beach
12.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 64.7°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 12.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.6 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, 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 Long Beach. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Long Beach 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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