What it's like to live in Redmond
Redmond is a small city in Oregon with crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Redmond deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, larger class sizes than the national average, and cold winters.
The good
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- High student-teacher ratio
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Redmond compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Redmond
Based on Redmond's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,256
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $65,120 a year
- 49% of Redmond renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$92,500
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $46,250
- Homes cost 5.5× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 15% above US
$1,628/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,628 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices run above average, with a median around $462,500. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $462,500 · 49% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▲ 19% above US
5.1% unemployment
Unemployment here is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 38% below US
204 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 2144/100k · Redmond Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 18% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.4 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 84°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 25°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 16% below US
30% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 30% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
11 public schools inside the boundary
There are 11 public schools inside the boundary and 4 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (69 miles away).
Bottom line
Redmond's strongest points are crime rates well below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,628/mo) equals 23% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Redmond
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