Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Eugene?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Eugene?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $43,000 in Eugene.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Eugene?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $63,836 in Eugene, OR — about 22% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,011

+39% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,080

+31% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,411

+17% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,674

+8% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$435,400

+4% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$63,836

+22% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,680

+3% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.4 yr

+1.4 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

46.3%

47.6%

+1.3 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

44.2%

+14.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

18.6 min

+8.2 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

319.6

+47% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,348.9

+6% in Atlanta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

52.5°F

+10.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

46.1 in

+3.6 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Eugene, OR

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.3

+3% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.59

+38% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Eugene, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Eugene, OR

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / OR)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.90%

+4.7 pp in OR

Atlanta vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Eugene?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Eugene?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).