salaryRent is higher than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 16.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $84,920 a year. That is $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oregon cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Oregon. It is number 87 of 105 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bend?
Share of households by yearly income. 36.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bend
| Size | Bend | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,823 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,511 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,850 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,430 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,101 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bend overall?
Everyday prices in the Bend metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bend
Life in Bend
What jobs pay in Bend
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $165,960 | 15.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,100 | 16.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $148,610 | 17.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,010 | 18.9% |
| Software Developer | $129,030 | 19.7% |
| Lawyer | $123,930 | 20.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,650 | 21.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,240 | 23.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,150 | 25.2% |
| Electrician | $99,200 | 25.7% |
| Police Officer | $97,230 | 26.2% |
| Operations Manager | $93,660 | 27.2% |
| Plumber | $92,330 | 27.6% |
| Accountant | $86,030 | 29.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $83,260 | 30.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,810 | 32.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,240 | 33.0% |
| Firefighter | $62,140 | 41.0% |
| Carpenter | $61,640 | 41.3% |
| Truck Driver | $61,220 | 41.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,150 | 41.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $50,480 | 50.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $50,080 | 50.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $50,080 | 50.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,390 | 54.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,520 | 56.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,540 | 57.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,720 | 67.5% |
| Cashier | $36,290 | 70.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bend?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,862 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $718,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $71,840 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bend, OR?
Renting in Bend costs a median of about $2,123 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oregon median is $1,811.
How much do I need to make to live in Bend?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $84,920 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bend cheap or expensive?
Bend is rated OK: rent takes 24.5% of the typical household income of $103,961. It ranks 87th cheapest of 105 Oregon cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bend?
The median homeowner in Bend pays $4,162 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Bend more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bend?
The median home value in Bend is $718,400, about 6.9 times the typical yearly household income.
103,390 people live in Bend. Numbers are typical (middle) values.