Cost of Living in Madras, OR

Population 7,596 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Madras is a smaller Oregon community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $56,590 and housing costs ($291,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 10.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 45 miles north of Bend, Madras falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 55% lower than Bend's $647,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 96
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Madras

The median home value in Madras is $291,400 — 4% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $942/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,590/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.1%, above 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, Madras has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$291,400
4% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$186,793
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$942/mo
28% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,250/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.8x
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 55.4%
Renter-occupied 44.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$942
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,556/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
23.2 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.0%
Carpooled
13.1%
Walked
5.7%
Work from home
4.3%

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
$56,590
24% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,633
Unemployment Rate
10.1%
109% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor Force Participation
67.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.0%
Graduate degree 5.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.2
Male median age 34.1
Female median age 28.5

🌤 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 31 — Good
72.9%
Good air days/yr
238
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
2,895
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Madras, OR?

Madras has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Madras, OR?

The median gross rent in Madras is $942 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Madras?

The median home value in Madras is $291,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Madras?

The median household income in Madras is $56,590 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Madras, OR?

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

Is Madras, OR affordable?

Yes, Madras is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Madras?

Madras 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.

Madras at a Glance

Population
7,596
Median Income
$56,590
Home Value
$291,400
Median Rent
$942/mo
Unemployment
10.1%
Avg High Temp
63.6°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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