Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Rochester?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 27% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$750

+26% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$857

+21% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,114

+21% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,240

+26% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$120,600

+72% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$46,628

+27% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$51,210

+3% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

33.5 yr

+1.9 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

47.6%

37.2%

+10.4 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

29.9%

+14.3 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

18.9 min

+0.3 min in Rochester, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

690

+116% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,533.4

+6% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+4.3°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

34.3 in

+11.8 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$4.04/gal

+21% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

29.9

+84% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$22.74

+10% in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY

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 / NY)

None

+4.0 pp in NY

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

10.90%

+1.0 pp in NY

Eugene vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Rochester?: 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 Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Rochester?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).