Bend OR vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Bend
65.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Bend
2.8%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 5.8% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 2.8% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $64,146 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $33,835 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 11.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 24.9% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 33.6% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.3% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 19.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 68.5°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 35.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Bend, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Bend 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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