Eugene OR vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 78.9% | 16.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $48,416 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $25,509 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 10.9% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 24.7% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 17.4% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $482,675 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 24.1% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.9% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.0% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 23.4% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 54.9°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 46.3 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 35.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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