Eugene OR vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 84,389 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.8 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 78.9% | 67.2% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,662 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 27.0% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $657,911 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Eugene +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Eugene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.7% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 53.2°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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