CostIndexUSA

Bend, OR vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOR
Bend
103.6
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Bend is moderately cheaper than Washington — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bend, you would need $84,100 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+37.4%
Bend
110
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bend
105.3
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
Bend
105.3
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.0%
Bend
95.3
Washington
97.2
Utilities+1.6%
Bend
105
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$84,100
$4,100 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 1.0512. 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×

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 37.4% higher housing costs compared to Bend.

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

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

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)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.