Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Huntsville?

Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $36,000 in Huntsville.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Huntsville?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Huntsville Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 10% higher in Huntsville, AL. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$815

+19% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$900

+17% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,080

+23% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,251

+25% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$263,100

+40% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$70,778

+11% in Huntsville, AL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$51,740

+4% in Huntsville, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

36.4 yr

+1.0 yr in Huntsville, AL

Homeownership

47.6%

58.1%

+10.5 pp in Huntsville, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

46.2%

+2.0 pp in Huntsville, AL

Avg Commute

18.6 min

19.3 min

+0.7 min in Huntsville, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

483.2

+51% in Huntsville, AL

Property Crime

3,348.9

2,395.7

+28% 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

62.1°F

+9.6°F in Huntsville, AL

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

54.3 in

+8.2 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.62/gal

+31% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

16.4

+0% in Huntsville, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$24.06

+11% in Huntsville, AL

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 Huntsville, AL

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 / AL)

None

+4.0 pp in AL

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

5.00%

+4.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Huntsville?: Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Huntsville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Huntsville?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).