Is Bend or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bend is safer than Portland (Safety Score 56/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland — 75% lower. Bend has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bend has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Portland is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Bend, OR?
Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bend, OR
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bend | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,530.5 | 6,246.7 | -4,716.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 168.5 | 720.5 | -552.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 10.8 | -7.9 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 50.9 | -28.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.6 | 177.4 | -154.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.5 | 481.2 | -360.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,362.0 | 5,526.2 | -4,164.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 129.0 | 727.4 | -598.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.2 | 3,921.3 | -2,771.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 82.8 | 877.6 | -794.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bend or Portland safer?
Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bend has a violent crime rate of 168.5 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. Bend has lower violent crime.
About Bend, OR
Nestled on the Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon, was historically a logging town and is now a popular outdoor recreation destination. Its population of over 100,000 residents enjoys proximity to the Cascade Mountains and high desert. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 106,241, Bend has a total crime rate of 1,530.5 per 100,000 residents.