Tempe vs Eugene: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Tempe, AZ and Eugene, OR, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricTempe, AZEugene, OR
Population181,005176,755
Median household income$72,022$61,481
Median home value$382,100$406,000
Median rent (/mo)$1,472$1,269

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Tempe, AZ and Eugene, OR comes down to what you value most. Tempe has the lower median home value, and Eugene has the lower median rent.

Tempe has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Tempe or Eugene?
By median home value, Tempe is the cheaper of the two ($382,100 vs $406,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Tempe or Eugene?
Median household income is $72,022 in Tempe versus $61,481 in Eugene, per the US Census Bureau.

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