Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Idaho Falls?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 8% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$818

+19% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$827

+23% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$957

+32% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,278

+24% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$298,600

+31% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$69,630

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$46,800

+6% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

33.5 yr

+1.9 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

64.1%

+16.5 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

31.0%

+13.2 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

18.2 min

+0.4 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

365.3

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

3,348.9

1,235.5

+63% 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

44.2°F

+8.3°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

10.4 in

+35.7 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.4

+12% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$11.33

+48% in Eugene, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / ID)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

5.30%

+4.6 pp in OR

Eugene vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Idaho Falls?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).