Eugene OR vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 115,263 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.8 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 78.9% | 46.1% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $61,228 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $34,492 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 33.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.7% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.8% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.2% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
High Point
46.1 in
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 60.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 46.1 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.7 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point 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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