Eugene OR vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 78.9% | 46.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.0% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $60,583 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $53,714 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 44.0% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 660 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2507 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.5% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.1% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.3% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 62.7°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 50.0 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Little Rock
20.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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