Eugene OR vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Independence
5.3%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 121,944 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.3% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 72.2% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.4% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $59,480 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $31,683 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,527 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 20.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Independence
2418
Independence +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 501 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2418 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Independence
19.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.3% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.4% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 54.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.5 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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