Bend OR vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Salem
12.2%
White
Bend
65.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 12.2% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.6% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.5% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Salem
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $71,900 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $36,477 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 14.7% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 31.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Salem
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Salem
3001
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 41.4% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.7% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.4% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 53.0°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 39.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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