City Report · OR

Pendleton

Pop. 16,950·64th most expensive in Oregon·Pendleton rents are up 6.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,343/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.8%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$622
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pendleton · $1,343
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,343/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$54,000/yr
Local median income
$66,563/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Pendleton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$850
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,570
4 BR+
$1,880
Research median
$1,120/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,116/yr
At $1,343/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.8% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pendleton, OR is majority owner-occupied, 24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,950
Median income
$66,563
Median age
36.9
Renters
43.5%
Age distribution
24.4%
23%
23.3%
17.8%
Under 1824.4%
18–3423%
35–5423.3%
55–6411.5%
65+17.8%
Gender
56.5%
43.5%
Male56.5%
Female43.5%
Race & ethnicity
81.6%
White81.6%
Black1%
Hispanic11.8%
Other5.3%
Education (25+)
32.2%
33.7%
24.7%
No HS diploma9.4%
HS diploma32.2%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+24.7%
Housing tenure
56.5%
43.5%
Owner56.5%
Renter43.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Pendleton, OR has changed in 5 years

Income
$58,093 → $66,563
up 14.6%
Population
16,861 → 16,950
up 0.5%
Renter share
43.6% → 43.5%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
21.1% → 24.7%
+3.6 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $58,093 in 2021 to $66,563 more recently. College-educated residents now make up 24.7% of adults here, versus 21.1% in 2021.

Community

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View Pendleton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pendleton on your salary?

At $1,343/mo, how Pendleton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pendleton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Pendleton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pendleton

About renting in Pendleton, OR

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pendleton is $1,343/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,570/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($66,563/yr), Pendleton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pendleton an affordable city for renters?

Pendleton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,343/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($66,563/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pendleton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pendleton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,343/mo in Pendleton. The local median household income is $66,563/yr, meaning the typical Pendleton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pendleton?

Rent in Pendleton has increased 6.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Pendleton rent compare to other cities in Oregon?

Pendleton is one of the more affordable cities in Oregon for rent, ranking #64 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,343/mo.

What percentage of Pendleton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.5% of Pendleton households are renters, while 56.5% are owner-occupied. Pendleton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pendleton rent compare to the national average?

Pendleton's median rent of $1,343/mo is $622 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Oregon, it ranks #64 out of 65 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,343/mo, rent takes ~24% of Pendleton's median household income ($66,563/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pendleton 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.75–9.9%
Run the Pendleton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pendleton, OR

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