Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Bend and Columbia have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Oregon salaries · Maryland salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Bend has a housing index of 182 while Columbia sits at 172 (national average = 100). The median home in Bend costs $580,000 compared to $430,000 in Columbia, a difference of $150,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Bend versus $1,900 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Bend scores 106 while Columbia scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Bend (106) are higher than Columbia (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Bend is $68,234 compared to $112,738 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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