Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Santa Fe?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Santa Fe?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$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 Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 9% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$969

+4% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,167

+8% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,559

+10% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,733

+4% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$411,500

+5% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$70,110

+10% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$48,710

+2% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

46.4 yr

+11.0 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

47.6%

62.8%

+15.2 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

45.4%

+1.2 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

18.6 min

20.2 min

+1.6 min in Santa Fe, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

843.3

+164% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

3,348.9

5,189

+55% in Santa Fe, NM

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

51.9°F

+0.6°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

13.5 in

+32.6 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.62/gal

+29% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.1

+13% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$11.90

+42% in Eugene, OR

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / NM)

None

4.875%

+4.9 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

5.90%

+4.0 pp in OR

Eugene vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Santa Fe?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Santa Fe?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).