Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI 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 Green Bay?

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

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Green Bay?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$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 Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI 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 $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 2% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$707

+30% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$730

+32% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$956

+32% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,287

+23% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$191,500

+56% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$62,546

+2% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$49,940

+1% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

35.7 yr

+0.3 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

47.6%

55.9%

+8.3 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

25.5%

+18.7 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

18.9 min

+0.3 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

501.7

+57% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

3,348.9

1,331.2

+60% 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

44.3°F

+8.2°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

29.5 in

+16.6 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

19.7

+21% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$11.79

+43% 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 Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Green Bay, WI

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 / WI)

None

+5.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

7.65%

+2.3 pp in OR

Eugene vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI 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 Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Green Bay?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% 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).