Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Providence?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Providence?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 4% higher in Providence, RI. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,116

+10% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,030

+5% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,323

+6% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,627

+3% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$322,800

+26% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$66,772

+5% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$53,680

+8% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

32.9 yr

+2.5 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

41.2%

+6.4 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

34.7%

+9.5 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

25.0 min

+6.4 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

282.4

+12% in Eugene, OR

Property Crime

3,348.9

1,665.6

+50% 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

51.6°F

+0.9°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

47.2 in

+1.1 in in Providence, RI

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

29.5

+81% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$16.06

+22% 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 Providence, RI

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 / RI)

None

+7.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

5.99%

+3.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Providence?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Providence?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% 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).