Eugene OR vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 78.9% | 28.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $664,939 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 28.8% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 40.3 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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