Eugene OR vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Modesto
35.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 78.9% | 50.8% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $34,656 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 20.3% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.2% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.1% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.5% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.7% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 63.7°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 30.5 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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