Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Tacoma?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Tacoma?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 24% higher in Tacoma, WA. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,178

+17% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,332

+23% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,693

+20% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$2,094

+25% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$454,600

+4% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$83,857

+31% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$72,610

+46% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

37.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

47.6%

56.5%

+8.9 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

33.5%

+10.7 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.6 min

29.0 min

+10.4 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

1,064.4

+233% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,348.9

5,695.2

+70% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+0.4°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

43.0 in

+3.1 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$5.12/gal

+1% in Tacoma, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.9

+8% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$20.41

+1% 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 / WA)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

None

+9.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Tacoma?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Tacoma?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).