Eugene OR vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 143,611 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 78.9% | 59.2% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $45,611 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $30,282 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 28.0% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 38.5% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 21.3% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 68.9°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 47.3 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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