Bend OR vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 65.5% | 16.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.9% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $48,416 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $25,509 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 10.9% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 24.7% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 17.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 24.1% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 35.9% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 23.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 18.2% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 54.9°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 46.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 35.9 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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