2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Bend, OR vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Bend?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 0.3 years older than in Bend.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Bend?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 129.0% more expensive than Bend housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Bend?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 1.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of Bend.

Things to do in Bend?
Bend, Oregon is an incredible city located in central Oregon. It's known for its breathtaking mountain views, diverse culture, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can take advantage of outdoor activities like exploring Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway or hiking at Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore the local area. Nature enthusiasts can visit places like Deschutes National Forest or High Desert Museum to gain insight into local wildlife. After exploring, sample delicious food from restaurants like Wild Rose or Roost Beer Garden & Pub. With so much to offer, Bend is a fantastic place to visit for an unforgettable experience!

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 Bend, ORSanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$74,253  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$666,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time15.32  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Bend    100 Reviews

I have visited Bend for many years and moved here last year with my family. Every person that complains about Bend does not understand how economics works. The main  More

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Over 4 years ago

When I moved to Bend it was a charming small city of about 50,000 people. The population has now more than doubled and the once clean, quiet community is a noisy, dirty,  More

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Over 4 years ago

I've lived in Bend for 10 years now. I'm originally from a poorer town in CA with the same population as Bend. Here are my pros and cons of living in Bend. Pros: -  More

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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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