Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bend, OR
VS
West Covina, CA
🏆 Bend leads 16 of 23 categories
Bend
Oregon
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,671
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
99,442
West Covina
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$96,219 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
63
Population
108,173 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bend, OR
Pros
30% less violent crime than West Covina
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.8%)
Rent averages $405/mo less ($1,649 vs $2,054)
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 West Covina by $13,548/yr
West Covina, CA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (239.3 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $13,548 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 43°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,054/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Pricier housing — median home is $664,500
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bend
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 105.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Bend
Violent Crime
30% lower
168.5 vs 239.3 per 100k
Bend
Median Home Value
$88k less
$576,900 vs $664,500
Bend
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.7% unemployment
West Covina
Median Income
$13,548
$96,219 vs $82,671/yr
West Covina
Summer Heat
6.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.3°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bend, OR | West Covina, 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 | $664,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,649⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,054⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,671 | $96,219 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.0% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 78 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 63 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 100 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.4% ✓ Higher | 29.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.9% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1 | West Covina Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.5°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 90.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.6" ✓ Drier | 16.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,442 | 108,173 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.2% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 17.0% ✓ More | 16.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bend's cost of living index is 105.8 vs West Covina's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Bend is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bend leads 16 of 23 categories. Bend wins 16 and West Covina 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 West Covina or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($576,900 vs $664,500 median home), income ($82,671 vs $96,219), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bend, OR and West Covina, CA are about 714 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.