Eugene OR vs Huntington Beach CA — 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 43.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 78.9% | 64.3% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.3% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $1,364,265 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.2% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | 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
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 31.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
Eugene, OR vs New York, NYEugene, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Eugene, OREugene, OR vs Houston, TXEugene, OR vs Phoenix, AZEugene, OR vs Philadelphia, PA