Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Bend leads 15 of 23 categories
Bend
Oregon
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44
Population
99,442 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
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 10 min shorter each way
Rent averages $212/mo less ($1,649 vs $1,861)
More college-educated — 48.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $15,208/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $576,900
Norwalk, CT
Pros
50% less violent crime than Bend
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $15,208 more per year on average
Homes cost $85k less ($491,800 vs $576,900)
Smaller class sizes — 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Norwalk
Median Income
$15,208
$97,879 vs $82,671/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
50% lower
85.0 vs 168.5 per 100k
Norwalk
Median Home Value
$85k less
$491,800 vs $576,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High | $491,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 72 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 42.6% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% ✓ Higher | 54.8% |
| Under 18 | 20.8% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 17.0% ✓ More | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Bend is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bend leads 15 of 23 categories. Bend wins 15 and Norwalk wins 8. 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 Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $491,800 median home), income ($82,671 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Norwalk, CT are about 2,411 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.