Eugene OR vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 117,460 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 78.9% | 39.1% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.5% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $62,789 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,740 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $54,550 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 28.0% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.2% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
Eugene, OR vs New York, NYEugene, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Eugene, OREugene, OR vs Houston, TXEugene, OR vs Phoenix, AZEugene, OR vs Philadelphia, PA