Eugene OR vs Greensboro 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 78.9% | 40.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Greensboro
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Greensboro
39.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $58,884 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,858 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 18.4% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 39.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 50.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Greensboro
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Greensboro
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Greensboro
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.1% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.2% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.5% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 59.1°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Greensboro
23.4 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.4 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro 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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