Quick answer
Eugene costs $50/month less overall ($1,960 vs $2,010/mo). But Savannah's 5.39% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $2,488/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Eugene vs Savannah
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Eugene vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Eugene | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,700 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $445K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $415 | $390 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,960 ✓ | $2,010 |
| Walk Score | 47/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 35/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 9.9% (top) | 5.39% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Eugene's 1BR averages $1,400/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Savannah charges 5.39% state income tax vs 9.9% (top) in Eugene. On an $80K salary that's a $2,488/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $10,200 vs $6,468 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $445K in Eugene. At a 20% down payment, that's a $23,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $25 more per month than Eugene.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Eugene, OR
Eugene is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Savannah, GA
Savannah is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Eugene
Pacific Northwest climate: rainy, cloudy 8 months a year (October-May); mild, wet winters (35-45°F, 40-60 inches annual rain); dry summers (70-80°F, rare rain June-September); overcast skies dominate September-June
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Eugene top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Eugene if…
- →You're a College town enthusiasts
- →You're a Runners / track and field culture
- →You're a Outdoor recreationists
- →You're a People seeking progressive politics and smaller-city feel
Move to Savannah if…
- →You're a Artists and designers (SCAD alumni, creative economy)
- →You're a Aerospace and manufacturing professionals (Gulfstream)
- →You're a Southern charm seekers wanting walkable historic urban life
- →You're a Tourism/hospitality workers and business owners
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Eugene is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,960 in Eugene vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $50/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Eugene or Savannah?
Eugene is more walkable with a Walk Score of 47/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Eugene vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Savannah has lower state income tax (5.39%). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,488/year vs Eugene (9.9% (top)).
Is Eugene or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $445K in Eugene — a $115,000 difference on the median home.