Cost of Living in Bend, OR

Population 101,472 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

181
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bend's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $647,000 for a typical home, 112% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $88,792 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Cost Overview

Housing 212
Rent 134

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bend

The median home value in Bend is $646,800 — 112% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,767/month, 34% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,792/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Oregon's top state income tax rate is 9.9% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. The climate averages highs of 63.6°F and lows of 34.1°F. Overall, Bend has a cost of living index of 181 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 81% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$646,800
112% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$724,721
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,767/mo
34% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,188/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.5x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$903
1 BR
$1,003
2 BR
$1,252
3 BR
$1,754
4 BR
$2,023
Owner-occupied 62.1%
Renter-occupied 37.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,767
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,381/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.0 min
33% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
22.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.9%
Carpooled
7.6%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
2.4%
Work from home
22.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.9%
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$88,792
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,887
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
23% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor Force Participation
67.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.6%
Graduate degree 19.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.3
Male median age 38.9
Female median age 41.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.6°F
Avg Low
34.1°F
Annual Precip
8.5"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 444855606977888779655142
Low °F 252528313843494741332823
Precip" 0.980.660.580.711.200.640.400.460.370.680.810.97

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 28 — Good
74.8%
Good air days/yr
413
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86%
4-Year Graduation Rate
21.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
35
Public schools
18,651
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bend, OR?

Bend has a cost index of 181 (100 = national average). It is 81% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bend, OR?

The median gross rent in Bend is $1,767 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bend?

The median home value in Bend is $646,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bend?

The median household income in Bend is $88,792 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bend, OR?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bend is 0.0%. The Oregon state income tax top rate is 9.9%.

Is Bend, OR affordable?

Bend is above average in cost of living, with an index of 181 — about 81% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Bend?

Bend has average high temperatures of 63.6°F and average lows of 34.1°F. Annual precipitation is 8.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bend at a Glance

Population
101,472
Median Income
$88,792
Home Value
$646,800
Median Rent
$1,767/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Avg High Temp
63.6°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
View all cities in Oregon →
🗺️ County data for Oregon

Explore county-level cost of living data

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