Eugene OR vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 78.9% | 53.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $40,309 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 32.3% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.8% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 17.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 72.1°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 27.7 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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