Eugene OR vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.2 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 78.9% | 69.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.5% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $39,586 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 31.5% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 71.8°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.7 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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