Is Eugene expensive to live in?

Eugene is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,080 per month ranks #56 of 112 and is about the same as the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Eugene?

Average rent in Eugene, OR runs a studio around $1,011, a one-bedroom around $1,080, a two-bedroom around $1,411, a three-bedroom around $1,674 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Eugene?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,080 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,836.

How much does it cost to live in Eugene per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Eugene is about $1,260 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Eugene, OR

Population 177,520 · Oregon

~$1,260/mo est.1BR $1,080Home $435,400

Photo: Alexander Korte / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Eugene, OR is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,080 a month — about the same as the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,011 and two-bedrooms $1,411.

Median household income here is $63,836, 8% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,260 before food and transport. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,080

Studio

$1,011

1 Bedroom

$1,080

2 Bedroom

$1,411

3 Bedroom

$1,674

Buying a Home$435,400

Median Home Value

$435,400

Income$63,836

Median Household Income

$63,836

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.82

Bread (lb)

$2.04

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities16.3¢/kWh

Electricity

16.3¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$20.59/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$5.09/gal

Regular Gasoline (West Coast (PADD 5))

$5.09/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (OR)No sales tax

State Sales Tax

None

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 9.90%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime319.6 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

319.6

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,348.9

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Eugene Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.4 yrs

Median Age

35.4 yrs

Homeownership

47.6%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

Avg Commute

18.6 min

Climate52.5°F

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

Eugene cost of living — FAQ

Is Eugene expensive to live in?: Eugene is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,080 per month ranks #56 of 112 and is about the same as the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Eugene?: Average rent in Eugene, OR runs a studio around $1,011, a one-bedroom around $1,080, a two-bedroom around $1,411, a three-bedroom around $1,674 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Eugene?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,080 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,836.
How much does it cost to live in Eugene per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Eugene is about $1,260 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Eugene with nearby cities

Eugene vs Salem Eugene vs Portland Eugene vs Tacoma Eugene vs Seattle Eugene vs Boise Eugene vs Reno

Nearby cities

Salem, OR 62 mi Portland, OR 102 mi Tacoma, WA 223 mi Seattle, WA 248 mi Boise, ID 344 mi Reno, NV 355 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.