Bend, OR vs Medford, OR

The cost of living difference between Bend, OR and Medford, OR is dramatic. Medford is 32.8% cheaper than Bend, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bend has a cost index of 143 while Medford sits at 108, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bend is $1,767/month compared to $1,321/month in Medford — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Medford is more affordable at $387,000 median vs $646,800.

Median household income in Bend is $88,792 compared to $70,497 in Medford (+26%). The higher salaries in Bend partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bend spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 22.5% in Medford.

Climate-wise, Medford is notably warmer with an average of 55.9°F compared to 48.9°F in Bend. Medford receives more rainfall at 18.4" per year compared to 8.5" in Bend.