salaryEugene is the 2nd-largest city in Oregon that we track, with 179,591 residents. Rent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,280 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oregon cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Oregon. It is number 27 of 105 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Eugene?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Eugene
| Size | Eugene | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,156 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,200 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,535 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,870 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,379 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Eugene overall?
Everyday prices in the Eugene-Springfield metro area are 2% above the U.S. average (index 101.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Eugene
Life in Eugene
What jobs pay in Eugene
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $155,890 | 12.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $145,550 | 13.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $145,030 | 13.3% |
| Software Developer | $121,050 | 15.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $113,720 | 17.0% |
| Lawyer | $111,850 | 17.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,600 | 18.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,360 | 19.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,940 | 19.5% |
| Electrician | $94,680 | 20.4% |
| Operations Manager | $94,170 | 20.5% |
| Police Officer | $92,780 | 20.8% |
| Plumber | $84,910 | 22.7% |
| Accountant | $79,930 | 24.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $77,790 | 24.8% |
| Firefighter | $72,280 | 26.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,520 | 29.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,260 | 30.0% |
| Carpenter | $62,590 | 30.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,050 | 32.1% |
| Truck Driver | $58,480 | 33.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,980 | 38.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,320 | 39.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,880 | 42.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $42,930 | 44.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,920 | 49.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,960 | 50.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,410 | 54.5% |
| Cashier | $34,110 | 56.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Eugene?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,588 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $460,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $46,040 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Eugene, OR?
Renting in Eugene costs a median of about $1,607 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oregon median is $1,811.
How much do I need to make to live in Eugene?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,280 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Eugene cheap or expensive?
Eugene is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $71,787. It ranks 27th cheapest of 105 Oregon cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Eugene?
The median homeowner in Eugene pays $4,503 a year in property taxes, about 0.98% of the median home value.
Is Eugene more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Eugene?
The median home value in Eugene is $460,400, about 6.4 times the typical yearly household income.
179,591 people live in Eugene. Numbers are typical (middle) values.