Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Huntington?

Huntington, WV 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 Huntington?

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 Huntington.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Huntington?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$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 Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV 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 $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 32% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$762

+25% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$758

+30% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$881

+38% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,121

+33% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$118,800

+73% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$43,146

+32% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$44,600

+10% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

34.9 yr

+0.5 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

52.5%

+4.9 pp in Huntington, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

34.5%

+9.7 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

800.3

+150% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,617.9

+8% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+3.2°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

42.6 in

+3.5 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

15.4

+5% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$24.68

+14% in Huntington, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Huntington, WV

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Eugene, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / WV)

None

+6.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

4.82%

+5.1 pp in OR

Eugene vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Huntington?: Huntington, WV 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 Huntington?: 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 Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Huntington?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% 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).