Eugene vs New Haven
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Eugene
New Haven
💡 The Verdict
Eugene and New Haven have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Oregon salaries · Connecticut salaries
Living in Eugene vs New Haven
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Eugene has a housing index of 130 while New Haven sits at 137 (national average = 100). The median home in Eugene costs $380,000 compared to $250,000 in New Haven, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Eugene versus $1,400 in New Haven.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Eugene scores 103 while New Haven scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Eugene (106) are lower than New Haven (114).
Median household income in Eugene is $49,448 compared to $42,158 in New Haven. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Eugene vs New Haven
If you are considering a move between Eugene (index: 115) and New Haven (index: 118), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Eugene is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Eugene can afford $1,154/month, while the median household in New Haven can afford $984/month. With median homes at $380,000 in Eugene versus $250,000 in New Haven, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Eugene and $1,400/month in New Haven, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Eugene (115) vs New Haven (118)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Eugene at 115 is 15% above the US average, while New Haven at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Eugene and $1,400/month in New Haven, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $130,000 difference in median home prices between Eugene and New Haven translates to roughly $7,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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