CostIndexUSA

Bend, OR vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostOR
Bend
103.6
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Bend and Salem have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Bend
110
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bend
105.3
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Bend
105.3
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Bend
95.3
Salem
95.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Bend
105
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bend to see what you'd need to earn in Salem to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$80,000
Same salary works in both cities

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 1.0000. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bend, OR

Median Home Price
$653,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
110
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Income & Job Market

Bend, OR

Median Household Income
$91,700
Per Capita Income
$52,300
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
102,059
Top Industries
TourismTechnologyHealthcareRetailConstruction

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bend, OR
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.