Eugene OR vs Grand Rapids MI — 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 78.9% | 61.0% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $33,953 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,052 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 18.6% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 40.1% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 471 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.4% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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