Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Jackson?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 32% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,085

+7% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$816

+24% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$991

+30% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,121

+33% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$108,200

+75% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$43,238

+32% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$42,850

+14% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

34.7 yr

+0.7 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

48.6%

+1.0 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

28.6%

+15.6 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

20.2 min

+1.6 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

—

Property Crime

3,348.9

—

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

65.3°F

+12.8°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

54.3 in

+8.2 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.62/gal

+29% in Eugene, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

16.2

+1% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$27.68

+34% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 / MS)

None

+7.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

4.00%

+5.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Jackson?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).