Eugene OR vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 6.6% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 58.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.0% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.1% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $51,690 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 400 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Huntsville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.7% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 62.1°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 54.3 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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