Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Little Rock?

Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Little Rock.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Little Rock?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Little Rock Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Little Rock, AR. Overall, Little Rock, AR is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $60,583 in Little Rock, AR — about 5% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Little Rock, AR

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$981

+3% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$904

+16% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,064

+25% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,292

+23% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$221,200

+49% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$60,583

+5% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$45,790

+8% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

36.4 yr

+1.0 yr in Little Rock, AR

Homeownership

47.6%

54.2%

+6.6 pp in Little Rock, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

44.0%

+0.2 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

18.3 min

+0.3 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

1,673

+423% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

3,348.9

5,251.5

+57% in Little Rock, AR

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

62.7°F

+10.2°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

49.8 in

+3.6 in in Little Rock, AR

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

14.4

+12% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$25.93

+26% in Little Rock, AR

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 Little Rock, AR

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 / AR)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

3.90%

+6.0 pp in OR

Eugene vs Little Rock — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Little Rock?: Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Little Rock?: 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 Little Rock.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Little Rock?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).