Bend OR vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 65.5% | 40.7% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.9% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $66,772 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $36,694 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 20.1% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 34.7% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 41.2% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 34.4% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.5% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.6% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 14.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.4 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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