Bend OR vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Medford
N/A
White
Bend
65.5%
Medford
N/A
Black
Bend
2.8%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 65.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Medford
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Medford
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Medford
3001
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 33.0% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 10.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.6% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 55.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 18.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Medford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Medford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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