Bend OR vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 7.7% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 44.0% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.7% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $64,017 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $37,433 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 32.7% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 45.7% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 39.9% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.4% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 10.9% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.7% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 60.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 50.8 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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