Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Grand Forks?

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

Eugene vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/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 $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $63,838 in Grand Forks, 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

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$784

+22% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$761

+30% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$947

+33% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,371

+18% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$243,300

+44% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$63,838

+0% in Grand Forks, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$49,760

+0% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

29.4 yr

+6.0 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

46.5%

+1.1 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

39.2%

+5.0 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

14.8 min

+3.8 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

360.3

+13% in Grand Forks, ND

Property Crime

3,348.9

2,290.6

+32% in Eugene, OR

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

40.0°F

+12.5°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

20.8 in

+25.3 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Eugene, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.1

+13% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$18.21

+16% 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 Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Grand Forks, 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 Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Grand Forks?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Grand Forks 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).