Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Carlsbad, CA
🏆 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
Carlsbad
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$134,139 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
114,745 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
Homes cost $494k less ($576,900 vs $1,070,500)
Rent averages $828/mo less ($1,649 vs $2,477)
15% less violent crime than Carlsbad
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (168.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Carlsbad by $51,468/yr
Carlsbad, CA
Pros
Households earn $51,468 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (199.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 43°F
More college-educated — 59.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,070,500
Higher rents — median is $2,477/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Violent Crime
15% lower
168.5 vs 199.1 per 100k
Bend
Median Home Value
$494k less
$576,900 vs $1,070,500
Bend
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.0% unemployment
Bend
Summer Heat
9.6°F warmer
July avg high 83.8°F vs 74.2°F
Carlsbad
Median Income
$51,468
$134,139 vs $82,671/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Carlsbad, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,070,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,477⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $134,139 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% | 24.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 60 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 52 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 72 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% | 59.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 95.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Carlsbad Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 65.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F ✓ Warmer | 74.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 11.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 | 114,745 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 42.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% | 62.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.0% | 17.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Carlsbad's 111.5 (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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $1,070,500 median home), income ($82,671 vs $134,139), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Carlsbad, CA are about 785 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.