Eugene OR vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 149,827 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 1.5% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 14.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 0.3% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 2.2% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $43,238 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $26,868 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $46,995 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 26.8% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 28.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 46.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.8% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 64.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 54.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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