Yes, pushing up & pulling down both result in the same upward change in pitch. Choosing one over the other is mostly a logistics issue.
On lower strings you can pull down more easily because there is room on the fretboard. But on the upper E string you just can't bend very high in pitch by pulling down. There's no real estate available because you'll pull the string off the fretboard! Same for the B string in most cases of a typical rock or blues whole step bend. Sometimes it's easier to do one versus the other depending on the notes that happen before or after the bend.
For example this classic lick contains both issues. You have to bend the G up & out of the way to efficiently pick the B & E strings next. And bending the B string a whole step up would pull the string off the fretboard.
https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/20406
Anders covers bending really well in 2 tutorials of the blues course.
https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/13401
https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/13246
Hope that helps!
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