Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Newark?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 24% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,111

+10% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$978

+9% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,386

+2% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,695

+1% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$337,800

+22% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$48,416

+24% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$61,430

+24% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

34.8 yr

+0.6 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

24.1%

+23.5 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

17.4%

+26.8 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

33.2 min

+14.6 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

582.5

+82% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

3,348.9

1,961.8

+41% 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

54.9°F

+2.4°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

46.3 in

+0.1 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.86/gal

+24% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

23.3

+43% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$15.93

+23% 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

$1.92

+6% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / NJ)

None

6.625%

+6.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

10.75%

+0.8 pp in NJ

Eugene vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Newark?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).