Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Tampa?

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

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

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 Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Tampa?

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

Eugene vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$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 Tampa, FL. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 10% higher in Tampa, FL. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,242

+23% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,324

+23% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,673

+19% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$1,729

+3% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$375,300

+14% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$71,302

+12% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$48,940

+1% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

35.6 yr

+0.2 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

47.6%

50.2%

+2.6 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

44.6%

+0.4 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

18.6 min

24.7 min

+6.1 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

443.2

+39% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

3,348.9

1,473.2

+56% 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

73.4°F

+20.9°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

46.3 in

+0.2 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.77/gal

+26% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

15.2

+7% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$23.62

+15% in Tampa, FL

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 Tampa, FL

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 / FL)

None

+6.0 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

None

+9.9 pp in OR

Eugene vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Tampa?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Tampa?: 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 Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Tampa?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).