Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Milwaukee?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Milwaukee under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Milwaukee Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/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 $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 19% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$841

+17% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$849

+21% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,031

+27% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,193

+29% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$172,000

+60% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$51,888

+19% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$51,160

+3% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

32.2 yr

+3.2 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

41.5%

+6.1 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

26.6%

+17.6 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

22.4 min

+3.8 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

1,452.3

+354% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

3,348.9

2,772.2

+17% 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

47.9°F

+4.6°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

34.8 in

+11.3 in in Eugene, OR

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)

—

$2.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

19.7

+21% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$11.79

+43% in Eugene, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / WI)

None

+5.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

7.65%

+2.3 pp in OR

Eugene vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Milwaukee?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Milwaukee?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Milwaukee?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Milwaukee under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).