Eugene OR vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 78.9% | 69.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.2% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $52,606 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 55.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.5 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Eugene, OR vs New York, NYEugene, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Eugene, OREugene, OR vs Houston, TXEugene, OR vs Phoenix, AZEugene, OR vs Philadelphia, PA