Bend OR vs Springfield IL — 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%

Springfield, IL

Illinois · Population: 113,714

  • Median HH Income$65,537
  • Median Home Price$168,312
  • Unemployment6.7%
  • Bachelor's+35.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Bend
97,502
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Bend
65.5%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Springfield
35.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Springfield
1842
Springfield +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Springfield
14.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Springfield
37.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Bend & Springfield