Bend OR vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 65.5% | 39.2% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 8.3% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $88,575 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $33,716 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 12.5% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 25.7% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 36.7% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.2% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 13.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.5% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 66.8°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 34.1 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bend, OR vs New York, NYBend, OR vs Los Angeles, CABend, OR vs Chicago, ILBend, OR vs Houston, TXBend, OR vs Phoenix, AZBend, OR vs Philadelphia, PA