Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Eugene
3.9%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 177,520 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 6.8% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.9% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Eugene
$63,836
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $63,836 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 18.2% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $478,489 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Eugene
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 46.1 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA