Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Eugene?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Eugene?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $63,836 in Eugene, OR — about 7% higher in Eugene, OR. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,011

+4% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,080

+1% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,411

+4% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,674

+8% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$435,400

+99% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$63,836

+7% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,680

+16% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.4 yr

+0.7 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

47.6%

+0.1 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

44.2%

+8.8 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

29.4 min

18.6 min

+10.8 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

319.6

+80% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

3,348.9

+20% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

52.5°F

+8.9°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

46.1 in

+3.7 in in Eugene, OR

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)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.3

+25% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$20.59

+9% in Eugene, OR

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 Baltimore, MD

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 (MD / OR)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

9.90%

+3.4 pp in OR

Baltimore vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Eugene?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Eugene?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).