Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Richmond?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Richmond?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 2% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,183

+17% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,195

+11% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,374

+3% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,447

+14% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$328,100

+25% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$62,671

+2% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$51,460

+4% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

34.5 yr

+0.9 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

43.5%

+4.1 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

44.1%

+0.1 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

22.1 min

+3.5 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

349

+9% in Richmond, VA

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,240.2

+3% 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

58.9°F

+6.4°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

43.6 in

+2.5 in in Eugene, OR

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

17.6

+8% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$23.66

+15% in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA

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 / VA)

None

5.3%

+5.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

5.75%

+4.2 pp in OR

Eugene vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Richmond?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Richmond?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).