If you have been looking at Central Oregon home prices and wondering where your budget stretches further, Redmond probably keeps coming up for a reason. Many buyers want a place that feels practical day to day, still offers a strong sense of community, and gives them more options than they may find elsewhere in the region. Redmond checks a lot of those boxes, and the data helps explain why. Let’s dive in.
Redmond offers a clear value gap
One of the biggest reasons buyers choose Redmond is simple: the price difference is real. According to Zillow’s latest home value data for Redmond, the average home value was $512,005 as of February 28, 2026.
That matters even more when you compare it with Bend. The same Zillow data shows Bend’s average home value at $724,721, which puts Redmond at about 29.4% lower. Census data tells a similar long-term story, with Redmond’s median owner-occupied home value at $462,500 compared with $718,400 in Bend, based on U.S. Census QuickFacts.
For you as a buyer, that gap can change the conversation. It may mean a lower purchase price, more flexibility in your monthly payment, or the ability to prioritize features that might feel harder to reach in a higher-priced market.
Redmond is growing, but still feels local
Redmond is not just a lower-cost alternative. It is a city with its own momentum, housing base, and identity. The population reached 37,626 in July 2024, up 13.0% from 2020 and 43% from 2010, according to Census QuickFacts for Redmond.
That kind of growth tells you buyers and residents are seeing long-term appeal here. At the same time, Redmond is still small enough that many people feel it keeps a more local, manageable pace than a larger market.
The city also has a meaningful base of homeowners. Census data shows a 64.5% owner-occupied housing rate, along with a median gross rent of $1,628, which helps frame Redmond as a well-established housing market rather than only a commuter location.
Housing choices are more varied than many buyers expect
Some buyers assume Redmond mostly means one type of home. In reality, the housing stock is more mixed than that. According to the city’s Housing Element Technical Appendix, about 37% of housing units are detached homes, with the rest including attached single-unit homes, small multifamily buildings, and larger multifamily buildings.
That variety can be useful if you are trying to match a home to a specific budget or lifestyle. You may be looking for a detached house with more room, a lower-maintenance option, or something that better fits a first purchase or right-size move.
Redmond also has a relatively newer housing profile than some buyers expect. City data shows a median construction year of 1990, with 25% of units built in 2010 through 2019 and 1% built in 2020 or later. If newer construction or more recent layouts matter to you, Redmond offers options worth exploring.
Future growth is adding more housing options
Buyers often want to know whether a city has room to keep evolving. In Redmond, there is a visible pipeline that supports that story. Deschutes County reports that the Northpoint project in east Redmond is planned for 450 housing units that include affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing, along with childcare, parks, trail connectivity, transit opportunities, and commercial uses, as outlined in the county’s Rural Housing Profile Report.
That does not mean every buyer should wait for future inventory. It does mean Redmond is actively planning for growth in a way that supports a broader range of housing needs and everyday convenience.
Regional access is a major draw
Another reason buyers choose Redmond is how easy it can be to move around Central Oregon from here. The city sits on US-97 and OR-126, two highways that connect it well within the region. Even the Oregon DMV directions for Redmond reflect how Redmond functions as a crossroads for nearby communities.
Deschutes County also describes the fairgrounds in Redmond as the hub of the tri-county area. The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center notes travel times of about 15 minutes from Bend, 20 from Prineville, 20 from Sisters, 25 from Madras, and 5 from Redmond.
If you work in one area, spend weekends in another, or simply want easier access across the region, that central location can be a real day-to-day advantage.
Commute times stay fairly manageable
For many buyers, convenience is not just about maps. It is about the rhythm of normal weekdays. Redmond’s mean travel time to work is 21.4 minutes, according to U.S. Census QuickFacts.
That number will not predict every commute, of course. Still, it gives helpful context if you are comparing Central Oregon cities and trying to balance price, lifestyle, and travel time.
The airport adds real flexibility
For some buyers, the airport is a nice bonus. For others, it is a major deciding factor. Redmond Municipal Airport is one of the city’s strongest convenience points.
According to Redmond Municipal Airport, RDM is in the heart of Central Oregon and currently offers 30 daily flights with five carriers. The airport lists direct service to Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Burbank, and Dallas/Fort Worth.
The airport also offers 24/7 public terminal access, six full-service rental car agencies on site, and an active terminal expansion project. If you travel often for work, host out-of-town visitors, or split time between markets, that kind of access can make Redmond especially appealing.
Everyday lifestyle matters too
Value and convenience may bring buyers to Redmond, but daily quality of life often helps close the loop. This is a city where practical living and recreation are closely connected.
One standout example is the Dry Canyon Park and Trail System, which runs 3.7 miles through the center of Redmond. It includes paved walking and biking trails, a dog park, tennis, pickleball, softball, and preserved high-desert open space.
Community events also help shape the feel of the city. Music on the Green is Redmond’s annual free summer music series at American Legion Park, and Visit Redmond describes it as one of the longest-running community festivals in Central Oregon.
Then there is the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, a 132-acre venue in Redmond that hosts events, concerts, and gatherings throughout the year. Put together, these features support a lifestyle that feels active, connected, and easy to enjoy.
What this means for buyers
If you are deciding whether Redmond is the right fit, the answer often comes down to priorities. If you want more value than you may find in Bend, solid regional access, a mix of housing choices, and a city that continues to grow, Redmond deserves a close look.
It can be a strong option for first-time buyers, relocation buyers, move-up buyers, and people looking for a more flexible entry point into Central Oregon. Like any market, there are tradeoffs from property to property and neighborhood to neighborhood, but Redmond’s appeal is not hard to understand.
The biggest advantage may be balance. You can often find a more approachable price point without giving up the convenience, recreation, and regional access that bring many people to Central Oregon in the first place.
If you want help comparing Redmond with other Central Oregon markets or narrowing down the right fit for your budget and lifestyle, connect with Ninebark Real Estate. We take a calm, practical approach and help you make decisions with clear local context.
FAQs
Why are buyers choosing Redmond over Bend?
- Buyers often see Redmond as a better value because current Zillow data and Census housing values show a substantial home price gap compared with Bend.
Is Redmond, Oregon a good place to find newer homes?
- Yes. City housing data shows a median construction year of 1990, with a meaningful share of homes built from 2010 to 2019 and additional housing planned through projects like Northpoint.
Is Redmond convenient for commuting around Central Oregon?
- Yes. Redmond sits on US-97 and OR-126, has a central location within the region, and shows a mean travel time to work of 21.4 minutes in Census data.
Does Redmond have different types of housing for buyers?
- Yes. City planning data shows a mix of detached homes, attached homes, and multifamily housing, which gives buyers more options at different price points and lifestyles.
Is Redmond Municipal Airport a real advantage for homebuyers?
- Yes. RDM offers 30 daily flights with five carriers, multiple direct destinations, on-site rental cars, and around-the-clock public terminal access.
