Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Eugene?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $43,000 in Eugene.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Eugene?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $63,836 in Eugene, OR — about 39% higher in Eugene, OR. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$678

$1,011

+49% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$732

$1,080

+48% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,411

+56% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,674

+55% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$435,400

+363% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$63,836

+63% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$49,680

+1% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

35.4 yr

+0.9 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

41.2%

47.6%

+6.4 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

44.2%

+22.9 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

22.9 min

18.6 min

+4.3 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

319.6

+80% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

3,348.9

+26% in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

46.1 in

+9.8 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$5.09/gal

+22% in Eugene, OR

Area: Ohio vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

16.3

+17% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$20.59

+10% in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cleveland, OH

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 (OH / OR)

5.75%

None

+5.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

9.90%

+7.2 pp in OR

Cleveland vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Eugene?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Eugene?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).