Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Evansville?

Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (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 Eugene than in Evansville?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $31,000 in Evansville.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Evansville?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Evansville Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Evansville

Indiana

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Eugene, OR versus $950 in Evansville, IN. Overall, Evansville, IN is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $52,251 in Evansville, IN — about 18% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Evansville, IN

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$741

+27% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$768

+29% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,022

+28% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,167

+30% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$129,100

+70% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$52,251

+18% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$46,540

+6% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

38.1 yr

+2.7 yr in Evansville, IN

Homeownership

47.6%

53.9%

+6.3 pp in Evansville, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

22.3%

+21.9 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

18.7 min

+0.1 min in Evansville, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

1,210.5

+279% in Evansville, IN

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,716.2

+11% in Evansville, IN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

56.4°F

+3.9°F in Evansville, IN

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

45.3 in

+0.8 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

18.1

+12% in Evansville, IN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$13.70

+33% in Eugene, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Evansville, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Evansville, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / IN)

None

+7.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

2.95%

+7.0 pp in OR

Eugene vs Evansville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Evansville?: Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (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 Eugene than in Evansville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $31,000 in Evansville.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Evansville?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).