Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Eugene, OR (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Eugene

Oregon
111

Irvine is 131% more expensive than Eugene.

$2,893/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,347/mo ↓ 53%
$129,647/yr ↑ 103%
Median Income
$63,836/yr ↓ 51%
$1,115,400 ↑ 156%
Home Value
$435,400 ↓ 61%
$2,904/mo ↑ 104%
Owner Costs
$1,421/mo ↓ 51%
308,160
Population
177,520

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Eugene, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 111 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,546/month cheaper in Eugene, saving renters about $18,552/year.

Median household income is $65,811/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $435,400 in Eugene.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Eugene slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Eugene — common questions

Is Irvine or Eugene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Eugene is cheaper to live in with an index of 111 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Eugene?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Eugene it's $1,347/month — a difference of $1,546/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Eugene?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $63,836 in Eugene. Median household income is $65,811/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Eugene?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Eugene has a cost index of 111 with rent of $1,347/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Eugene details →

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