What are the schools like in Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton is served primarily by Pendleton SD 16. The district operates 4 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.7:1.

What is the median household income in Pendleton?

The median household income in Pendleton, OR is $67,931 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.4%.

What is the weather like in Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton has an average high temperature of 44.6°F in January and 90.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 12.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 18.0 inches.

Pendleton, OR Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Pendleton, OR affordable or expensive?

Pendleton's cost of living index is 98, where 100 represents the national average. This means Pendleton is 2% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $238,600 and the median rent is $895 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton has a violent crime rate of 408.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2681.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Pendleton, OR a Good Place to Live?

Pendleton is a small city of 17,005 in Oregon, with a median household income of $67,931 and a 7.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 98 (US average = 100), which is 2% below the national average.

Strengths: Pendleton stands out for below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Pendleton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Pendleton city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 98.4

Pendleton's overall cost of living index is 98.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Pendleton costs roughly 2% less than the average American city.

Metric	Pendleton, OR	National Avg
Median Home Value	$238,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$895	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	54.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$67,931	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Pendleton's violent crime rate is 408.5 per 100,000 residents — 7% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

408.5 /100k

Property Crime

2681.2 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Pendleton is served primarily by Pendleton SD 16. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Pendleton, OR	National Avg
School District	Pendleton SD 16	—
Elementary Schools	4	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	22.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	90.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Pendleton sees average highs of 44.6°F in January and 90.3°F in July, with 12.9 inches of annual precipitation and 18.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Pendleton, OR
Average High — January	44.6°F
Average High — July	90.3°F
Annual Precipitation	12.9"
Annual Snowfall	18.0"

Demographics

Metric	Pendleton, OR	National Avg
Population	17,005	—
Median Age	37.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	12.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	83.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.2%	18.9%
Asian	0.9%	6.3%
Under 18	24.1%	22.2%
65 and over	17.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Riverside, OR 4 mi Green Meadows, OR 4 mi Gopher Flats, OR 5 mi Tutuilla, OR 7 mi Mission, OR 8 mi

Pendleton vs Other Cities

Pendleton, OR vs Riverside, OR Pendleton, OR vs Green Meadows, OR Pendleton, OR vs Gopher Flats, OR Pendleton, OR vs Tutuilla, OR Pendleton, OR vs Mission, OR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pendleton, OR affordable or expensive?

Pendleton's cost of living index is 98, where 100 is the national average. That makes Pendleton roughly 2% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $238,600 and median rent is $895/month.

What is the crime rate in Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton's violent crime rate is 408.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2681.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Pendleton?

Public schools in Pendleton are operated by Pendleton SD 16. The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Pendleton, OR a good place to live?

Pendleton, OR has a population of 17,005, a median household income of $67,931, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Pendleton?

Pendleton averages 44.6°F in January and 90.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 12.9 inches with about 18.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Pendleton?

The population of Pendleton, Oregon is 17,005 with a median age of 37.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Pendleton?

Key numbers for living in Pendleton: cost of living index 98 (100 = US average), median home $238,600, median household income $67,931, crime index 116 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Pendleton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.