Eugene OR vs Fayetteville NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 78.9% | 38.3% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $56,395 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $31,467 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.2% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 28.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 46.5% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.4% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.5% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 61.2°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Fayetteville
20.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Fayetteville 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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