Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Eugene?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $43,000 in Eugene.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Eugene?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Chicago vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $63,836 in Eugene, OR — about 15% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,011

+15% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,080

+14% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,411

+0% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,674

+8% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$435,400

+38% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$63,836

+15% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,680

+9% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.4 yr

+0.3 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

47.6%

+2.1 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

44.2%

+0.9 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

33.5 min

18.6 min

+14.9 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

319.6

+41% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,348.9

+4% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

52.5°F

+0.2°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

46.1 in

+8.1 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$5.09/gal

+19% in Eugene, OR

Area: Chicago vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

16.3

+32% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.59

+34% in Eugene, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / OR)

6.25%

None

+6.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

9.90%

+5.0 pp in OR

Chicago vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Eugene?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Eugene?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).