Eugene OR vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 138,723 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.9 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 78.9% | 53.6% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.6% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 40.1% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $671,948 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.0% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 17.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.7% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 65.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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