Eugene wins overall by ~38% (COL index)
Cost of living: Eugene vs Los Angeles (2026)
A $64,500 salary in Eugene buys roughly what $104,285 does in Los Angeles (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$19,254/yr
Favoring Eugene for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,605/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~10 months and still keep ~$193/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Eugene Oregon | Los Angeles California | Who wins | Your impact at $65K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $2,200 | Eugene wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Eugene |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,650Wins | $2,800 | Eugene wins +$1,150/mo | $13,800/yr saves in Eugene |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200Wins | $3,800 | Eugene wins +$1,600/mo | $19,200/yr saves in Eugene |
| Median home price | $430KWins | $850K | Eugene wins +$420K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 104Better | 108 | Eugene wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Wins | $18 | Eugene wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Wins | $75 | Eugene wins +$15/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $82Wins | $100 | Eugene wins +$18/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.85Wins | $4.50 | Eugene wins +$0.65 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Wins | $195 | Eugene wins +$47/mo | $564/yr saves in Eugene |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $128Better | $145 | Eugene wins +$17/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $70 | Eugene wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $71KWins | Los wins +$13K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9% | 9.3%Better | Los wins -0.6 pp | $387/yr saves in Los |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 0.0%Wins | 10.3% | Eugene wins +10.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $17.00 | Eugene wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45Wins | $55 | Eugene wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Wins | $8.00 | Eugene wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107Wins | 173 | Eugene wins +66 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 50 | 68Wins | Los wins +18 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Eugene fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Eugene.
High-yield savings
Park ~$13,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Eugene cheaper than Los Angeles?
Yes. Eugene is 38% cheaper than Los Angeles based on overall cost of living indices (107 vs 173, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Eugene vs Los Angeles?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Eugene is $1,650/month and in Los Angeles is $2,800/month. Eugene is cheaper by 41%.
How much do I need to earn in Los Angeles to match a $75,000 salary in Eugene?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $121,262/year in Los Angeles to match a $75,000 salary in Eugene. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Eugene or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has the lower state income tax rate at 9.3% vs 9.9%. The difference is 0.6 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Eugene to Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Eugene offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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