Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Oceanside, 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
Oceanside
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,701 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
173,722 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
63% less violent crime than Oceanside
Rent averages $429/mo less ($1,649 vs $2,078)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 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
Cons
Median income trails Oceanside by $4,030/yr
Oceanside, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 43°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 84°F
Households earn $4,030 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (458.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $2,078/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Pricier housing — median home is $644,600
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Violent Crime
63% lower
168.5 vs 458.7 per 100k
Bend
Median Home Value
$68k less
$576,900 vs $644,600
Bend
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Bend
Summer Heat
7.3°F warmer
July avg high 83.8°F vs 76.5°F
Oceanside
Median Income
$4,030
$86,701 vs $82,671/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Oceanside, 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 | $644,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,078⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $86,701 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 29.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 13.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 104⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 80 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | C (76) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 27.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 33.6% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Scholarship Prep - Oceanside District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 66.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 11.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 | 173,722 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% ✓ Higher | 57.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.8% | 21.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.0% ✓ More | 15.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Oceanside's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Bend is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bend leads 18 of 23 categories. Bend wins 18 and Oceanside 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 Oceanside or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $644,600 median home), income ($82,671 vs $86,701), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Oceanside, CA are about 779 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.