Bend, OR, known as 'The Outdoor Playground of the West,' offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern urban amenities. Located in Deschutes County, Bend is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Portland (162 miles) and Eugene (128 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Bend's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Bend is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Deschutes National Forest, the historic Old Mill District, and the scenic Pilot Butte. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful High Desert Museum to the bustling Downtown Bend, known for its shopping and dining. Bend's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Bend Summer Festival and the BendFilm Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Bend's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Oregon State University - Cascades contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Bend is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Tower Theatre and the Bend Art Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Bend provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Bend’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Bend Elks (baseball) and the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) in nearby Portland, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Bend include healthcare, tourism, and technology, with significant employers such as St. Charles Health System and Les Schwab Tire Centers driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike paths, making transportation convenient for residents.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Located in the state of Oregon, Bend is a moderately-sized city with a population of 97,032 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Bend is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Bend will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 17 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Bend is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Oregon, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bend, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, commute, health & safety and more.
The livability score in Bend is 83/100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Bend could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Bend ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Bend ranks well for crime (A-), education (A-), employment (B-) and housing (B). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Bend. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: cost of living (F).
Bend has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Bend has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Bend are: Cog Wild Mountain Bike Tours, Sun Country Raft Tours, and Let it Ride Electric Bike Tours.
Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Bend gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 151 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Bend market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Assuming that Bend meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Bend. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Bend are simply unattainable. The median home price for Bend homes is $415,100, which is 67.9% higher than the Oregon average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bend, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.1, which is 32.6% higher than the Oregon average.
| Statistic | Bend | Oregon | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 70.7% | 71.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 10.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 3.2% | 2.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 13.7% | 6.4% | 4.6% |
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