Eugene OR vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 78.9% | 38.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.0% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 11.3% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $1,566,872 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 43.8% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Irvine
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 65.3°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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