Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 177,520 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 11.7% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.6% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $478,489 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 47.6% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.9% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 46.1 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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%.
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