Skyline of Eugene
Cost of Living: 104.2 176,654

Eugene, OR, US

Track Town USA with University of Oregon, rain, and no sales tax.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Eugene is a city in OR with a population of 176,654. Track Town USA with University of Oregon, rain, and no sales tax. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 104.2

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 108.5

Above Average

Median Income $52,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.6%

Job market health

Eugene vs US Average

Cost of Living
Eugene: 104.2
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Eugene: 108.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Eugene: 8.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.8%
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $52,000
  • Unemployment: 3.6%
  • Population: 176,654

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 155/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 33°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $420,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1400/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Eugene's cost of living index is 104.2 (US average = 100).

CategoryEugeneNational AverageDifference
Overall104.2100+4.2%
Housing108.5100+8.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$420,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$280

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Eugene:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$100Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$68Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$35Private service
Total Utilities$323Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Eugene scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 104.2
Rent
— $1400
Sunny Days
— 155
Tax
— 8.75%
Unemployment
— 3.6%
Climate
— 82°F / 33°F
Safety
— 1.1 homicides/100k
Population
— 176,654
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Eugene has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January53°F33°F2.5"
April67°F48°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F51°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Eugene faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Cascadia subduction zone with major earthquake risk.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous and coastal regions with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Cascade Range with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.75%
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~1.15% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Eugene per 100,000 residents:

317.9
Violent Crime
3,255.7
Property Crime
1.1
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

28/100
School Quality Score
Better than 19% of US cities
?
54
Total Schools
12.2:1
Student:Teacher
100.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Eugene is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
3.8%
Black or African American
1.6%
Hispanic or Latino
11.4%
Native American
0.5%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.4%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
6.4%
White
75.4%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.2%
High school graduate
17.4%
Less than high school
5.2%
Some college
33.1%

Religion

Christian
55.0%
Other
8.0%
Unaffiliated
37.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Eugene, OR, US?

The cost of living index in Eugene is 104.2, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Eugene?

The median home price in Eugene is $420,000. The housing index is 108.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Eugene is approximately $1400/mo.

Does Eugene, OR have income tax?

Eugene is in OR, which has an income tax rate of 8.75%.

What is the climate like in Eugene?

Eugene enjoys approximately 155 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 33°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.