Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Memphis?

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

Eugene vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 20% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$877

+13% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$948

+12% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,073

+24% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,281

+23% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$157,100

+64% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$51,211

+20% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$46,890

+6% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

34.3 yr

+1.1 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

46.0%

+1.6 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

28.2%

+16.0 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

21.3 min

+2.7 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

2,507.6

+685% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,348.9

6,966.3

+108% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+10.6°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

53.7 in

+7.6 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.5

+11% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$16.83

+18% in Eugene, OR

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

None

+7.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

None

+9.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Memphis?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax 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).