Bend vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bend
Nampa
The Verdict
Living in Nampa costs 25.7% less than Bend. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bend, you would need $59,659 in Nampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bend has the same purchasing power as $59,659 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $94,286 in Bend.
Living in Bend vs Nampa
Housing Costs
Bend's housing index of 182 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $580,000 vs $371,000. The $209,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,584 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Bend compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Bend and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Bend vs $499/month in Nampa. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Bend and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Bend vs $332 in Nampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Bend and 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,234 in Bend and $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,692 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,592/month to housing in Bend vs $1,734/month in Nampa. In Bend, median rent of $1,900/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases