Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Rutland?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 14% higher in Eugene, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$893

+12% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$856

+21% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,097

+22% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,207

+28% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$176,400

+59% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$55,000

+14% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

48.5 yr

+13.1 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

47.6%

52.7%

+5.1 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

32.2%

+12.0 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

14.7 min

+3.9 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

487.8

+53% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

3,348.9

3,973.3

+19% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+7.9°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

40.5 in

+5.6 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Eugene, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

24.4

+50% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$26.07

+21% in Rutland, VT

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 Rutland, VT

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 / VT)

None

+6.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

8.75%

+1.2 pp in OR

Eugene vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Rutland?: 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 Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Rutland?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).