Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
Asheville is 18% more affordable than Bend. A $75,000 salary in Bend is equivalent to $61,364 in Asheville.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Oregon salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Bend sits at 182 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $580,000 in Bend, a difference of $220,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,900 in Bend.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Asheville scores 103 while Bend scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) match Bend (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $68,234 in Bend. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Asheville.
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