Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
3% cheaper
Riverside is 3% more affordable than Bend. A $75,000 salary in Bend is equivalent to $72,727 in Riverside.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Oregon salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Bend has a housing index of 182 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Bend costs $580,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Bend versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Bend scores 106 while Riverside scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Bend (106) are higher than Riverside (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Bend is $68,234 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Riverside.
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