Eugene, OR vs Fairbanks, AK: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Fairbanks, AK is 1.6% more expensive than Eugene, OR (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Eugene works out to about $76,200 in Fairbanks, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 2.0% higher and other services 3.0% higher in Fairbanks, while housing is 5.9% lower.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 16.8% higher in Fairbanks.
- Typical asking rent is $1,839 a month in Fairbanks and $1,771 in Eugene, $816 a year more in Fairbanks (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $314,000 in Fairbanks and $453,000 in Eugene.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.5%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Eugene and Fairbanks
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
All items Eugene, OR: 101.6 Fairbanks, AK: 103.2
Goods Eugene, OR: 105.3 Fairbanks, AK: 107.3
Housing (rents) Eugene, OR: 98.4 Fairbanks, AK: 92.6
Utilities Eugene, OR: 102.5 Fairbanks, AK: 119.8
Other services Eugene, OR: 100.3 Fairbanks, AK: 103.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.6 | 103.2 |
| Goods | 105.3 | 107.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 98.4 | 92.6 |
| Utilities | 102.5 | 119.8 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 103.3 |
| Category | Eugene | Fairbanks | Fairbanks vs Eugene |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.6 | 103.2 | +1.6% |
| Goods | 105.3 | 107.3 | +2.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 98.4 | 92.6 | −5.9% |
| Utilities | 102.5 | 119.8 | +16.8% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 103.3 | +3.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,771 | $1,839 | +3.8% |
| Typical home value | $453,000 | $314,000 | −30.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Eugene | $75,000 | $76,200 | +1.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Eugene and Fairbanks has narrowed since 2008: 8.3 points then, 1.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.4 | 104.7 |
| 2009 | 100.1 | 102.7 |
| 2010 | 97.9 | 102.2 |
| 2011 | 100.9 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 100.5 | 97.9 |
| 2013 | 99.1 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 98.7 | 101.3 |
| 2015 | 97.7 | 100.6 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 100.4 |
| 2017 | 99.6 | 103.8 |
| 2018 | 102.1 | 104.6 |
| 2019 | 101.5 | 103.1 |
| 2020 | 100.6 | 99.4 |
| 2021 | 100.8 | 104.6 |
| 2022 | 104.7 | 98.7 |
| 2023 | 103.5 | 101.2 |
| 2024 | 101.6 | 103.2 |
Goods
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.6 | 103.3 |
| 2009 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2010 | 97.6 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 99.3 | 96.2 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 95.1 |
| 2014 | 96.3 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 95.1 | 102.8 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 104.2 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 103.7 |
| 2018 | 104.6 | 103.3 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 98.9 |
| 2020 | 104.6 | 99.7 |
| 2021 | 106.5 | 109.1 |
| 2022 | 109.1 | 104.2 |
| 2023 | 104.8 | 104.5 |
| 2024 | 105.3 | 107.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.4 | 120.5 |
| 2009 | 99.4 | 118.6 |
| 2010 | 95.1 | 122.7 |
| 2011 | 100.5 | 120.8 |
| 2012 | 99.0 | 103.3 |
| 2013 | 99.2 | 93.5 |
| 2014 | 97.0 | 118.2 |
| 2015 | 94.7 | 96.7 |
| 2016 | 101.6 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 100.1 | 112.7 |
| 2018 | 96.6 | 102.1 |
| 2019 | 96.7 | 100.8 |
| 2020 | 94.9 | 75.9 |
| 2021 | 95.0 | 96.7 |
| 2022 | 99.4 | 79.6 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 79.7 |
| 2024 | 98.4 | 92.6 |
Utilities
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 78.0 | 97.9 |
| 2009 | 79.4 | 100.5 |
| 2010 | 84.7 | 111.2 |
| 2011 | 89.4 | 117.7 |
| 2012 | 91.5 | 116.1 |
| 2013 | 87.9 | 115.7 |
| 2014 | 92.3 | 120.6 |
| 2015 | 92.5 | 122.6 |
| 2016 | 88.4 | 130.7 |
| 2017 | 83.9 | 132.0 |
| 2018 | 90.8 | 137.0 |
| 2019 | 93.1 | 138.4 |
| 2020 | 93.2 | 129.7 |
| 2021 | 94.1 | 119.0 |
| 2022 | 88.4 | 115.0 |
| 2023 | 87.9 | 120.6 |
| 2024 | 102.5 | 119.8 |
Other services
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 102.5 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 100.4 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 98.6 |
| 2011 | 103.3 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 102.5 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 100.8 | 99.8 |
| 2014 | 101.6 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 101.1 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 100.0 | 98.2 |
| 2017 | 100.4 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 105.0 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 105.0 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 105.6 |
| 2021 | 99.1 | 103.9 |
| 2022 | 104.5 | 100.8 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 103.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,839 in Fairbanks vs $1,771 in Eugene
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $952 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $961 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $962 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $972 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $997 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,015 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,024 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,029 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,050 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,077 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,089 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,087 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,124 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,150 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,170 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,162 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,188 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,218 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,240 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,214 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,254 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,259 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,281 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,303 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,321 | – | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,380 | $1,449 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,439 | $1,474 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,461 | $1,482 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,476 | $1,494 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,580 | $1,599 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,603 | $1,590 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,593 | $1,563 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,589 | $1,649 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,614 | $1,640 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,635 | $1,652 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,614 | $1,639 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,633 | $1,668 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,673 | $1,698 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,682 | $1,724 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,678 | $1,699 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,707 | $1,736 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,717 | $1,763 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,736 | $1,756 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,749 | $1,752 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,761 | $1,782 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,768 | $1,859 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,771 | $1,839 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $314,000 in Fairbanks vs $453,000 in Eugene
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Eugene, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Eugene, OR | Fairbanks, AK | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $218K | $224K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $221K | $227K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $225K | $230K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $231K | $231K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $237K | $234K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $242K | $236K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $246K | $238K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $252K | $241K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $257K | $242K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $263K | $243K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $269K | $249K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $275K | $254K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $281K | $255K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $287K | $255K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $292K | $255K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $295K | $255K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $300K | $262K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $304K | $269K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $308K | $273K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $313K | $277K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $323K | $277K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $329K | $278K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $335K | $283K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $352K | $285K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $371K | $283K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $394K | $285K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $405K | $292K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $411K | $298K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $430K | $299K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $450K | $305K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $446K | $307K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $439K | $303K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $437K | $299K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $441K | $300K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $447K | $301K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $446K | $297K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $446K | $302K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $447K | $307K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $447K | $305K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $452K | $305K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $452K | $306K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $449K | $303K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $448K | $298K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $451K | $300K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $452K | $307K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $450K | $313K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $453K | $314K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.