Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Buckeye, AZ
🏆 Buckeye leads 13 of 23 categories
Bend
Oregon
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44
Population
99,442 ✓ Larger
Buckeye
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$94,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
95,042
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Violent crime is well below the national average (168.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 48.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 107°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,900
Median income trails Buckeye by $11,517/yr
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Buckeye
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $235k less ($341,700 vs $576,900)
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $11,517 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 43°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Bend
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.8%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.0% unemployment
Buckeye
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 105.8 (100 = US avg)
Buckeye
Median Income
$11,517
$94,188 vs $82,671/yr
Buckeye
Median Home Value
$235k less
$341,700 vs $576,900
Buckeye
Summer Heat
22.7°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buckeye, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High | $341,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High | $1,597⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $94,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 14.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 | 44 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 | 37 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 22.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 88.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" | 8.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 ✓ Larger | 95,042 |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% | 85.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.0% ✓ More | 12.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Buckeye's 100.0 (US average = 100).
Buckeye is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 13 of 23 categories. Bend wins 10 and Buckeye wins 13. 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 Buckeye or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $341,700 median home), income ($82,671 vs $94,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Buckeye, AZ are about 869 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.