Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Elk Grove, CA
🏆 Bend leads 13 of 22 categories
Bend
Oregon
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
99,442
Elk Grove
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,864 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
50
Population
176,105 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Rent averages $427/mo less ($1,649 vs $2,076)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (168.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 48.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Cons
Median income trails Elk Grove by $33,193/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $576,900
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
Households earn $33,193 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 43°F
Homes cost $16k less ($560,500 vs $576,900)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 3.8%)
Longer commutes — 33.1 min average each way
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Bend
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Violent Crime
11% lower
168.5 vs 189.9 per 100k
Bend
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.4% unemployment
Elk Grove
Median Income
$33,193
$115,864 vs $82,671/yr
Elk Grove
Median Home Value
$16k less
$560,500 vs $576,900
Elk Grove
Summer Heat
8.8°F warmer
July avg high 92.6°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Elk Grove, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High | $560,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,076⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $115,864 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 33.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 | 53 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 50 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 90.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Elk Grove Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 56.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 92.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 18.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 | 176,105 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 38.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% | 73.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.0% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Elk Grove's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Bend is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Bend leads 13 of 22 categories. Bend wins 13 and Elk Grove wins 9. 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 Elk Grove or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $560,500 median home), income ($82,671 vs $115,864), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Elk Grove, CA are about 390 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.