Eugene OR vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Eugene
78.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.5% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 17.5% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.8% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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