Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Boca Raton, FL
🏆 Bend leads 12 of 23 categories
Bend
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
99,442 ✓ Larger
Boca Raton
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,570 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
45
Population
97,980
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
Rent averages $521/mo less ($1,649 vs $2,170)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (168.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Boca Raton
Cons
Median income trails Boca Raton by $12,899/yr
Boca Raton, FL
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (171.0 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 43°F
Households earn $12,899 more per year on average
More college-educated — 59.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,170/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Bend
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Median Home Value
$20k less
$576,900 vs $597,100
Bend
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Boca Raton
Median Income
$12,899
$95,570 vs $82,671/yr
Boca Raton
Summer Heat
6.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Boca Raton, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $597,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,170⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $95,570 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 21.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 18.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 59 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 45 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 80 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 | 16.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% | 96.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 65.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 ✓ Larger | 97,980 |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 47.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% ✓ More | 17.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.0% | 25.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Boca Raton's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Bend is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bend leads 12 of 23 categories. Bend wins 12 and Boca Raton wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Bend to Boca Raton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $597,100 median home), income ($82,671 vs $95,570), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Boca Raton, FL are about 2,591 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.