Eugene OR vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 78.9% | 73.0% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.3% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,837 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 46.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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