Eugene OR vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 78.9% | 35.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $62,894 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 19.7% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 36.0% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 42.0% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 38.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.9% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 24.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.6% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 48.7 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 29.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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