Living in Eugene, OR
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• Livability Partner
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Eugene, OR? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Eugene, OR

Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live, Eugene, OR, is a city that definitely deserves that recognition. The city of 179,748 residents has the outdoors at its fingertips, with options that include hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding and biking. And residents here aren’t messing around when it comes to biking; it is a way of life here because of the area’s commitment to cycling infrastructure, which includes roughly 190 miles of on-street bike lanes and 71 miles of signed bikeways and neighborhood greenways. City buses have bike racks; there’s even a bike-sharing system with 40 self-serve stations and 300 bikes in its fleet. Those are just a few of the ways Eugene and its sustainably-minded residents are reducing the city’s carbon footprint. The community also gets around 80% of its power from carbon-free hydroelectric energy.

Situated on the Willamette River and on the southern side of the Willamette Valley – and less than two hours from Portland – Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, which offers lauded programs in environmental law, education, creative writing and psychology, among others. The school is also well-known for Hayward Field, the site of numerous world-class track and field events – thus the city’s nickname as “TrackTown USA.”

Living in Eugene means that you have access to world-class amenities. The dining scene is creative and fun, with a bevy of chefs proficient at farm-to-table meals long before they became a culinary staple. And if you ever have the desire to leave the city, the Oregon Coast and the Cascade Mountains are just a hop, skip and a jump away!

Top Reasons to Move to Eugene

• Eugene is a quintessential college town and a powerhouse for education and creative energy.
• Known for its extensive trail system, high civic engagement and calendar of community events, Eugene prioritizes sustainability and community.
• Eugene is an outdoor paradise, positioned between teh Cascade Mountains and the Oregon Coast. It is home to more than 190 miles of bike lanes and easy access to hiking, kayaking and other outdoor adventures.
• Eugene is a foodie destination with a dense concentration of local breweries, plenty of farm-to-table spots and a location in the Willamette Valley – one of the world’s premier wine regions. 

Eugene is a vibrant, nature-loving city nestled in the lush Willamette Valley, roughly 110 miles south of Portland, perfectly positioned along Interstate 5 for easy road trips. Eugene Airport sits just 5 miles northwest of downtown, a small but bustling hub offering flights to major West Coast cities like Seattle and San Francisco. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Portland is 110 miles north; the “City of Roses” tempts with the Portland Art Museum, a legendary food truck scene and shopping on Hawthorne Boulevard.  
• Salem sits 65 miles north; Oregon’s capital charms with the historic Oregon State Capitol building, Riverfront Park and family-friendly museums.  
• Bend is roughly 130 miles east, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

The area has a Mediterranean climate, meaning the city experiences warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The winter, spring and fall seasons are known to be overcast.

Eugene has a robust economy comprising several industries, including manufacturing, technology and wood products. Lumber is the largest industry in the area, where several manufacturers produce lumber and wood products. Additionally, the area is the nation’s leading producer of softwood lumber and plywood products. Some of the large employers in the area include PeaceHealth Medical Group, the University of Oregon and Burley Design.

The cost of living in Eugene is above the national average. The median home value in Eugene is $461,846, and the average household income is $68,020.

There is a state income tax in Oregon. However, Oregon doesn’t have a sales tax, so the combined sales tax rate in Eugene in 2026 is 0%.

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Eugene is known as Track Town USA and is a runners’ town through and through. A little company called Nike got its start here, and the city is home to former Olympian Steve Prefontaine, who was credited with helping start the 1970s running boom. In addition, the University of Oregon is known for its track and field program, and Hayward Field is considered one of the premier tracks in the country and the site of many Olympic track and field trials.

The best way to experience Eugene is to immerse yourself in the community and explore the many things to do across the city. Downtown Eugene buzzes with activity, featuring the historic 5th Street Public Market, Kesey Square’s lively atmosphere and the popular Saturday Market, a haven for handmade crafts and local food. The arts are big here, with places like the Jordan Schnitzer Museum and many performing arts centers.

The University of Oregon provides ample opportunities to have fun, too. The campus is home to Hayward Field and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Residents can learn about local history at the Lane County Historical Museum. The Owen Rose Garden offers a peaceful escape with thousands of rose varieties and historic cherry trees. The city has events all year, from festivals to sports, that bring in people from everywhere.

Get out and about in Eugene. This Oregon city is an outdoor playground with amazing nature all around. Geographically, the city rests on mostly flat terrain with gentle, rolling hills cradled by the serene Willamette River, which invites kayakers, anglers and picnickers to its banks. Surrounded by dense forests and sprawling parks like Alton Baker, nature is always within reach. The city is a gateway to the Willamette Valley’s scenic beauty, with options ranging from hiking Spencer Butte for panoramic views to exploring the 12-mile Ridgeline Trail and the basalt columns at Skinner Butte Park. Cyclists love the Covered Bridge Bikeway,  while water lovers can kayak or paddleboard at Alton Baker Park and explore the McKenzie River.

Nature fans can see birds of prey at the Raptor Center or walk through Hendricks Park. In winter, Willamette Pass provides ample opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. Day trips offer more adventures, including exploring the Oregon Coast’s craggy shorelines, hiking to Sahalie and Koosah Falls, soaking in Belknap Hot Springs, and discovering the scenic Old McKenzie Highway with its Proxy Falls and Dee Wright Observatory views.

Eat your way through Eugene. This Oregon spot is all about local farms and craft drinks, and its location helps chefs make those farm-to-table fantasies come true. Being close to the Willamette Valley means great wineries, like J. Scott Cellars, are easy to find. The beer scene is also big, with breweries like Oakshire Brewing being community spots. The city embraces farm-to-table dining, showcasing fresh, local ingredients in restaurants like Agate Alley Bistro, which blends Latin and Asian flavors.

Beyond the breweries and wineries, Eugene’s culinary scene features a mix of casual eateries, international cuisine and food carts, offering everything from hearty breakfasts at Off the Waffle to tacos at Tacovore. The 5th Street Public Market and local grocers like The Kiva provide access to artisanal goods and fresh produce, reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. Eugene has a mix of everything from brewpubs and upscale restaurants, so there’s something for everyone.

Eugene is a college town through and through, which is further represented by the endless educational institutions available to residents. Bethel School District and Eugene School District both serve the city. Eugene Schools emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion by providing student resources, including library services and secondary education programs. There are also excellent private schools here, including the Oak Hill School, a stunning school set on a 72-acre campus, and The Village School, a public charter school inspired by Waldorf principles.