Bend OR vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Washington
13.3%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 13.3% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 39.1% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.1% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 11.6% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 14.5% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 41.1% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 24.0% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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