Albany NY vs Eugene OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Eugene
3.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 6.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Eugene
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Eugene
44.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.6% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 44.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $478,489 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Eugene
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Eugene
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.0% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 52.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, NY vs New York, NYAlbany, NY vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, NY vs Chicago, ILAlbany, NY vs Houston, TXAlbany, NY vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, NY vs Philadelphia, PA