Bend: The Data Profile (2026)

Bend represents a distinct statistical outlier in the post-remote economic landscape. With a population of 104,554, it retains a "smaller city" classification, yet its economic indicators rival major metros. The median income stands at $95,527, a significant +28.1% deviation above the US median of $74,580. This wealth concentration is driven by a highly educated workforce, where 55.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 33.1%.

The statistical target demographic is the "High-Earning Remote Professional." This cohort leverages location-agnostic salaries to capitalize on Bend's amenities while absorbing the premium cost of living. The data indicates a shift from a tourist town to a stable, high-income satellite city.

Cost of Living Analysis

The Cost of Living Index (COLI) baseline is 100.0 (US Average). Bend’s aggregate index hovers slightly above average, primarily due to housing premiums. However, daily operational costs are surprisingly competitive. Groceries index at 96.6 and transportation at 98.4, offering -3.4% and -1.6% savings respectively compared to the national mean.

Table 1: Monthly Budgets (Estimated)

Disposable Income Analysis:
Based on the median income of $95,527 (approx. $7,960 monthly gross), a single earner retains significant liquidity. After an effective tax rate of 22%, net monthly income is roughly $6,208. Subtracting the $3,594 monthly budget leaves a disposable surplus of $2,614. This high surplus ratio is the primary economic driver for relocation.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market in Bend is defined by a "rent-to-own" compression. While the Housing Index is 108.0 (+8.0% vs US), the rental market for 2-bedroom units is priced at $1,784. This creates a scenario where renting is relatively more affordable than the capital outlay required for ownership.

Table 2: Housing Market Data

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
Buying in Bend requires a premium of +54.8% over the national median home price. The Price-to-Rent ratio heavily favors renting in the short-to-medium term. For remote workers without immediate plans to establish permanent roots, renting a 2-bedroom unit at $1,784 preserves capital that would otherwise be tied up in a high-interest, high-principal mortgage.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

The post-remote work era has solidified Bend’s economy, but with a caveat. The local unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is notably higher than the US average of 4.0%. This +1.2% gap suggests a labor market that is still absorbing the influx of migration, or a structural mismatch between local service jobs and the high-income remote workforce.

RTO & Commute:
With 55.7% of the workforce holding degrees, RTO (Return-to-Office) mandates have minimal impact on the aggregate commute times. The average commute remains under 20 minutes for those working locally. However, for the ~40% of residents commuting virtually, infrastructure strain is negligible, maintaining high quality of life.

Industry Stability:
The economy is diversified between healthcare, technology (remote), and tourism. The high median income ($95,527) indicates that the "tourism trap" wage dynamic has been superseded by high-value service and tech exports.

Quality of Life Audit

Bend scores exceptionally well on health metrics, driven by an active lifestyle culture. The Health Score of 84.7/100 is a primary pull factor. Air quality is pristine, with an AQI average of 39 (Good), significantly beating the national norm.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety Analysis:
Bend presents a mixed safety profile. Violent Crime is exceptionally low at 234 incidents per 100k residents (US avg: 380). However, Property Crime is elevated at 2,345 per 100k (US avg: 2,000). This suggests that while physical safety is high, property security (locking cars, securing bikes) is a necessity.

Schools & Weather:
The education level of the population (55.7% college educated) correlates with high-performing public schools. The weather currently sits at 34.0°F, with a high of 47°F. The climate demands adaptation to distinct seasons, offering snowy winters and dry, sunny summers ideal for outdoor recreation.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Income Disparity: Median income ($95,527) significantly outpaces the cost of living.
• Health & Environment: Top-tier air quality (AQI 39) and health outcomes (84.7 Score).
• Safety: Violent crime is nearly 40% lower than the US average.

Cons:

• Housing Cost: Buying a home is +55% more expensive than the national average.
• Unemployment: The local rate (5.2%) is higher than the national average, indicating a competitive local job market for non-remote roles.
• Property Crime: High incidence of non-violent theft.

Recommendation:
Bend is a Strong Buy for Renters and a Calculated Buy for Owners. The data supports relocation for remote workers earning at or above the national median. The financial model works best for those renting a 2-bedroom unit ($1,784) while banking the +28.1% income premium. Buying should only be considered if planning a stay of 10+ years due to the steep entry cost.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Bend?
Based on the monthly budget of $3,594 for a single person, a gross salary of $60,000 is the floor. However, to match the median lifestyle and savings rate of $2,614 monthly, a salary of $95,527 is ideal.

2. Is the Cost of Living increase justified compared to other cities?
Yes, specifically regarding discretionary income. While housing is +8.0% (Index), the ability to earn +28.1% above the national income average creates a net positive financial position compared to lower-cost, lower-income metros.

3. How does the safety profile affect daily life?
Daily life is very safe due to the low Violent Crime rate (234/100k). However, residents must actively mitigate Property Crime risks (2,345/100k), which are 17% higher than the US average.

4. When is the best time to move?
The current weather (34°F) indicates winter. The optimal moving window is late Spring (May/June) or early Fall (September) to avoid the snowy winter logistics and the peak summer tourist congestion that impacts traffic and rental availability.