City Comparison

Eugene vs St Cloud

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Eugene

Oregon
115
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,448
Median Income

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

The Verdict

27.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.8%, with St Cloud being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Eugene has equivalent purchasing power to $58,696 in St Cloud.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
130
Eugene
82
St Cloud
Groceries
103
Eugene
101
St Cloud
Utilities
91
Eugene
95
St Cloud
Transportation
107
Eugene
99
St Cloud
Healthcare
106
Eugene
100
St Cloud

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Eugene has the same purchasing power as $58,696 in St Cloud.

Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $95,833 in Eugene.

Living in Eugene vs St Cloud

Housing Costs

Eugene's housing index of 130 is higher St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $250,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Eugene compared to $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Eugene and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Eugene vs $480/month in St Cloud. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Eugene and 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Eugene vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Eugene and 100 in St Cloud. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,448 in Eugene and $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,998 and $66,889 respectively. St Cloud residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,154/month to housing in Eugene vs $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Eugene, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St Cloud is 27.8% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Eugene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,696 in St Cloud, based on the cost of living difference.
Eugene's housing index is 130 with median homes at $380,000, while St Cloud's is 82 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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