Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Bend leads 15 of 22 categories
Bend
Oregon
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
99,442
Vallejo
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,112 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
125,132 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
77% less violent crime than Vallejo
Commutes run 20 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 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
Rent averages $245/mo less ($1,649 vs $1,894)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,900
Median income trails Vallejo by $3,441/yr
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Homes cost $61k less ($515,500 vs $576,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 43°F
Households earn $3,441 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,894/mo
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Violent Crime
77% lower
168.5 vs 739.8 per 100k
Bend
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 7.0% unemployment
Vallejo
Median Income
$3,441
$86,112 vs $82,671/yr
Vallejo
Median Home Value
$61k less
$515,500 vs $576,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $576,900⚠ High | $515,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,894⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $86,112 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 57.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 85.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 21.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 | 125,132 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% ✓ Higher | 58.7% |
| Under 18 | 20.8% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 17.0% | 17.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Bend is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Bend leads 15 of 22 categories. Bend wins 15 and Vallejo wins 7. 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 Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $515,500 median home), income ($82,671 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and Vallejo, CA are about 414 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.