Situated in the high desert of eastern Oregon and a three-plus-hour drive from Portland, the town of Bend, Oregon, is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. If you like to ski, rock climb, or river raft while enjoying craft beers, this is the place for you. Bend is also surrounded by national forests, with majestic Mt. Baker located on the outskirts of town. Before you decide to pack up and move to this picturesque town, you’ll want to know what the cost of living is in Bend.
Is it expensive to live in Bend, Oregon?
The cost of living in Bend is high, although with good reason. Firstly, Bend has become a mecca for work-from-home entrepreneurs who enjoy a quiet outdoor lifestyle. And because the town is fairly remote, the cost of transporting goods can run high. The area is also enveloped by national forests, so there’s little room for housing expansion. However, the job industry is rebounding from past recessions and now has strong employment in the microbrewery, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries.
What is the cost of living in Bend, Oregon?
Overall, the cost of living in Bend is 25% higher than the national average and about 7% higher than the rest of Oregon. Housing is about 44% higher than the rest of the United States and around 21% higher than other parts of Oregon. Transportation costs are 26% higher than the national average throughout all of Oregon. However, utility costs in this town are 13% lower than the national average.
While this High Desert town has lots of great specialty stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, plenty of coffee shops, and hip bistros, you’ll end up paying a bit more than the national average for these niceties. Groceries are about 15% higher than what people in other parts of the country pay.
What is the Bend, Oregon, cost of living compared to Portland’s?
Portland is the biggest city in Oregon with a population of 2,174,000, while Bend has a population of 106,023 spanning over 23 miles. Portland’s overall cost of living index is roughly 130% compared to Bend’s 123%, making Bend a cheaper place to live. Transportation costs are also cheaper in Bend than in Portland by 36.4%. However, utilities and housing costs in Bend are 4.6% and 6.6%, respectively, higher than in Portland.
Although you can compare percentages of the cost of living in Bend to Portland, the lifestyle and climate are quite different. Portland tends to have a cold, rainy climate, while Bend has an abundance of sunny, dry days. Add to that its outdoor recreation and hospitable residents, and then Bend becomes a great choice. Furthermore, compared to major big cities in the United States with high crime rates in cheaper neighborhoods, the town has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation and is about 17% lower than many other cities across the nation.
How expensive is an apartment in Bend?
Demand for apartments in Bend is high and inventory is low, which explains the high housing costs. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Bend as of April 2021 is $1,610, a 15% increase from 2020. The most expensive studio apartments are in the Mountain View neighborhood and rent out for about $1,050 a month. Premium one-bedroom apartments can be found in Summit West, with rents of about $1,395 a month. Move up to a two-bedroom apartment in the River West neighborhood, and you can expect to pay about $2,495 a month.
To avoid exhausting and expensive house-hunting, you should start your search well in advance of moving there.
What is the cheapest rent in Bend?
When you want a cheaper place to rent in Bend, you’ll most likely be renting further away from the Deschutes River, downtown, and the higher-end neighborhoods. A bit of distance is not a problem as Bend is such a small area, which means you won’t have to spend hours commuting to and from work. That said, it is a tourist town, so you can expect longer commute times on busy holiday weekends, in the summer, and at the peak of ski season.
Studios in the Old Bend neighborhood cost about $850 a month. A one-bedroom apartment in the Larkspur or Mountain View area of Bend will run you about $1,150 a month. If you need a two-bedroom apartment, check out the Old Farm District, where you can score a place for $1,100 for the month.
How do I find cheap apartments in Bend?
Because the demand for cheap apartments is high, thanks to fewer listings, it’s important that you’re patient when looking for a cheap apartment in Bend. Use online rental marketplaces, like Zumper, to browse listings from the comfort of home. If you want something more than a studio or makeshift backyard garage conversion, consider renting a house or apartment with others. With a roommate, you can find a nicer apartment closer to the vibrant downtown area.
Before you and your roommate sign a lease or rental agreement with your landlord, sit down and fill out a roommate agreement so that you all understand the policies and rules of renting a Bend apartment together. List the percentage of utility costs, who’ll pay the rent, and other relevant information.
When you want to live a lifestyle where you can easily access outdoor recreational opportunities, enjoy a thriving microbrewery scene, and live away from big Oregon cities, consider Bend. Start your search for an affordable apartment in Bend by using Zumper’s search filters to find the perfect accommodation that fits your budget.
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