Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Fargo?

Fargo, ND 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 Eugene than in Fargo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Fargo?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/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 $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND 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 $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 3% higher in Fargo, ND. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$671

+34% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$804

+26% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$956

+32% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,368

+18% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$269,800

+38% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$66,029

+3% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$51,050

+3% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

32.2 yr

+3.2 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

44.1%

+3.5 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

43.2%

+1.0 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

15.8 min

+2.8 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

504.9

+58% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,726.4

+11% in Fargo, ND

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

42.4°F

+10.1°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

22.6 in

+23.5 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

13.6

+16% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$11.39

+45% 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 Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fargo, ND

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 / ND)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

2.50%

+7.4 pp in OR

Eugene vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Fargo?: Fargo, ND 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 Eugene than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Fargo?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).