| Index | Bend | Oregon | National |
| Cost of living | 134 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Housing | 199 | 124 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 104 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 109 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Bend allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Bend stands at 134, marking it 34% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Bend is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Bend falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Bend cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 99.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 88 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Bend and this is how they responded. 41% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 59% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Bend an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Bend is 122.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 44.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bend has a median household income of $102,321, which is 25.8% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Bend, the transportation index is 7.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Bend starts at 0% and the income tax rates start at 4.75%.
The Bend cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $127,868 | $10,656 | $2,983 | $3,836 |
| Renters | $78,908 | $6,576 | $1,841 | $2,367 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Oregon | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Oregon | 4.75% | 9.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Redmond, OR | 32,599 | 117 | 17.3% |
| Deschutes River Woods, OR | 6,459 | 127 | 26.7% |
| Eagle Crest, OR | 2,968 | 145 | 44.5% |
| Sunriver, OR | 1,222 | 147 | 47.0% |
| Tumalo, OR | 418 | 162 | 62.4% |
| Bend, OR | 99,174 | 134 | 34.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC | 99,027 | n/a | |
| Albany, NY | 99,012 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Longmont, CO | 99,360 | 133 | 33.2% |
| Flint, MI | 99,436 | 77 | 22.9% |
| Mission Viejo, CA | 98,783 | 190 | 90.0% |
| Bend, OR | 99,174 | 134 | 34.2% |
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