Bend OR vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Bend
65.5%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 4.8% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.6% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.1% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.5% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $47,751 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,074 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 44.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 28.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 8.2% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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