The minimum wage in Eugene is $14.70/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $21.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Eugene.
The minimum wage in Eugene is the Oregon standard minimum of $14.70/hour. Eugene falls under Oregon's standard minimum wage of $14.70/hour, outside the higher Portland metro rate, and the state indexes it each July. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Eugene. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,350/month and a cost-of-living index of 105 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Eugene, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.70 | $30,576 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $42.50 | $88,400 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $16,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Lane County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Eugene.
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon and sits at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, with an economy built on higher education, healthcare, wood products and advanced manufacturing, a growing technology sector, and a deep track-and-field and outdoor-recreation culture.
| Local Metric | Eugene (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 180,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Lane County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 105 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.70/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $460,000 |
| Median household income | $62,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.05% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Eugene is the Oregon standard minimum of $14.70/hour. Eugene falls under Oregon's standard minimum wage of $14.70/hour, outside the higher Portland metro rate, and the state indexes it each July. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $30,576 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Lane County needs about $21.00/hour (roughly $43,680/year) to cover basic costs. That is $6.30/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $42.50/hour.
At $14.70/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $30,576 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $22,932/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Eugene is about $1,350/month, or $16,200/year.
Eugene falls under Oregon's standard minimum wage of $14.70/hour, outside the higher Portland metro rate, and the state indexes it each July.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Oregon sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor on a regional system, with a higher rate inside the Portland metro urban growth boundary, so the applicable regional rate applies in Eugene.