| Index | Pendleton | Oregon | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 105 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 124 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 117 | 109 | 100 |

The cost of living in Pendleton affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Pendleton is 105, which is 5% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
In Pendleton, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Pendleton will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Pendleton an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Pendleton, the median home price is 4.6% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 17.2% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Pendleton come in at $82,860, which is 1.9% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Pendleton, the utilities index stands at 10.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Pendleton, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 0%, and income tax rates kick off at 4.75%.
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 Pendleton, the transportation index is 9.8% higher than the national average.
The Pendleton cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional 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 | $107,170 | $8,931 | $2,500 | $3,215 |
| Renters | $51,133 | $4,261 | $1,193 | $1,534 |
| 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. |
| Pilot Rock, OR | 1,330 | 96 | 3.9% |
| Tutuilla, OR | 367 | 100 | 0.5% |
| Adams, OR | 587 | 101 | 1.0% |
| Mission, OR | 921 | 104 | 4.4% |
| Riverside, OR | 287 | 105 | 4.8% |
| Pendleton, OR | 17,038 | 105 | 5.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Abington, MA | 17,033 | 140 | 40.3% |
| Opelousas, LA | 17,032 | 88 | 11.7% |
| North Myrtle Beach, SC | 17,032 | 112 | 11.8% |
| Ham Lake, MN | 17,046 | 118 | 17.6% |
| Selwyn, ON | 17,047 | n/a | |
| Pendleton, OR | 17,038 | 105 | 5.3% |