Eugene OR vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 78.9% | 36.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $51,888 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $29,679 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,837 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 23.3% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 26.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.5% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.8% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.1% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.3% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, 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 +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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