Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Costa Mesa, CA
🏆 Bend leads 18 of 23 categories
Bend
Oregon
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
99,442
Costa Mesa
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$104,981 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
111,490 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
Homes cost $383k less ($576,900 vs $959,800)
77% less violent crime than Costa Mesa
Rent averages $619/mo less ($1,649 vs $2,268)
Violent crime is well below the national average (168.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.8%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Costa Mesa by $22,310/yr
Costa Mesa, CA
Pros
Households earn $22,310 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 43°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $959,800
Higher rents — median is $2,268/mo
Violent crime (737.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Violent Crime
77% lower
168.5 vs 737.6 per 100k
Bend
Median Home Value
$383k less
$576,900 vs $959,800
Bend
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.0% unemployment
Bend
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 83.8°F vs 78.9°F
Costa Mesa
Median Income
$22,310
$104,981 vs $82,671/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $959,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,268⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $104,981 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 21.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 16.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 194⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 | 18.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 42.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 87.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Newport-Mesa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 67.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F ✓ Warmer | 78.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 11.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 | 111,490 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 36.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% ✓ Higher | 39.7% |
| Under 18 | 20.8% ✓ More | 18.9% |
| Over 65 | 17.0% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Costa Mesa's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Bend is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bend leads 18 of 23 categories. Bend wins 18 and Costa Mesa wins 5. 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 Costa Mesa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $959,800 median home), income ($82,671 vs $104,981), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Costa Mesa, CA are about 741 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.