Bend OR vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.7 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 9.8% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 63.1% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.6% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 8.6% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $64,731 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $38,890 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $52,606 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 16.1% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 33.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 43.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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