Bend OR vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Bend
2.8%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 65.5% | 27.6% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.1% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $63,988 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $23,980 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 19.5% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 12.8% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $492,059 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 48.5% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 37.1% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 20.2% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 30.7 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and San Bernardino 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