Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 6.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 11.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Eugene
$63,836
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Eugene
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $63,836 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 18.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $478,489 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Eugene
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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