City Comparison

Bend vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bend

Oregon
132
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$68,234
Median Income

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

36.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 36.1%, with Stockholm being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bend has equivalent purchasing power to $55,114 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
182
Bend
118
Stockholm
Groceries
106
Bend
92
Stockholm
Utilities
92
Bend
88
Stockholm
Transportation
107
Bend
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
106
Bend
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bend has the same purchasing power as $55,114 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $102,062 in Bend.

Living in Bend vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Bend's housing index of 182 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $580,000 vs $445,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 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 Stockholm, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Bend and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Bend vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Bend and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Bend vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Bend and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $68,234 in Bend and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,692 and $51,546 respectively. Bend residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,592/month to housing in Bend vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Bend, median rent of $1,900/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 36.1% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 132.
A $75,000 salary in Bend has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,114 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Bend's housing index is 182 with median homes at $580,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases