Eugene OR vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Gresham
67.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 112,818 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.2 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 78.9% | 67.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.4% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Gresham
$35,390
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Gresham
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,390 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 23.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $472,119 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Gresham
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Gresham
3001
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Gresham
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.3% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.4% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.3% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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