Bend OR vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Bend
65.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 91,535 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 42.9 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 65.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 2.8% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.8% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 16.4% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 11.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $865,610 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 28.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 29.0% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.0% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 20.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.6% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 65.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 13.6 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 28.0 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $735,193. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Santa Ana 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%.
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