The Bend metro is home to 253,650 people (up 40.4% over five years), with a median household income of $85,509. Typical rent of $2,218/month works out to 31.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Bend's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.5% |
| Professional & management | 13.2% |
| Retail trade | 13.0% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.8% |
| Construction | 8.3% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 31.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Bend market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,218/month suggests a household income around $89,000/year. The metro's median household income is $85,509.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.5%), Professional & management (13.2%), Retail trade (13.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).