Eugene, OR Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Eugene, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Eugene →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Eugene, Oregon is home to roughly 176,755 residents. The typical household here earns $61,481 a year — below the median we track across cities (-15%).
Anyone weighing a move to Eugene should know the median home value is $406,000, above the multi-city median (+24%), and median rent runs $1,269 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
At roughly 6.6 times median income, Eugene's home values rank among the more stretched we track — buying here takes a larger share of local pay. The local market has seen 1.23% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. Natural-hazard exposure in Eugene is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,269/mo in Eugene would take 24.8% of your income.
$268/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($406,000) would take 42.3% of your income toward principal & interest.
$733/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Eugene
Median home value is $406,000 and median gross rent is $1,269/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Lane rose 1.23% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,688/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Eugene's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Eugene reported a violent crime rate of 346.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Eugene
Planning a move to Eugene? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Eugene, OR?
- Cost of living in Eugene centers on housing: median home value runs $406,000, median rent runs $1,269/month, and the typical household earns $61,481 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Eugene?
- To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Eugene, where median rent runs $1,269/month, you'd want to earn about $50,760 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Eugene.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Eugene?
- With a median home value of $406,000 and median rent of $1,269/month, renting comfortably in Eugene takes about $50,760/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $92,891/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Eugene safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 346.6 per 100,000 residents in Eugene.
See the full salary breakdown for Eugene →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Eugene's.