Bend OR vs Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.1 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 65.5% | 53.1% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $49,571 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 39.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $802,780 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 8.0% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 37.4 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Clarita. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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