The Bend-Redmond area has been ranked No. 4 in the country for the best-performing small cities in America, according to the non-profit think tank Milken Institute. That’s an improvement of two spots from last year.
Milken’s 2025 report said the region showed “consistently robust performance in the labor market, with high placements in job and wage growth.” But it ranks low in short-term job growth, possibly indicating a cooling labor market.
The report said that while Bend continues to struggle with high housing costs, its ranking in that category improved from 184th to 117th. But, income inequality remains a problem, ranking 133rd.
The top 10 cities include:
- Gainesville, Ga.
- St. George, Utah
- Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Bend-Redmond
- Midland, Texas
- Jefferson City, Mo.
- Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Jackson, NC
- Missoula, Mont.
- Auburn-Opelika, Ala.
The full Bend-Redmond report can be found on Page 42 in the document below.
The Milken Institute, based in California, describes itself as focusing on “accelerating measurable progress on a path to a meaningful life” with a focus on financial, physical, mental and environmental health.
