Bend OR vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 65.5% | 61.8% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 8.2% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $871,599 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 44.3% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bend +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.0% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 52.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 37.5 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 28.8 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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