Eugene OR vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 68,505 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 78.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 1.8% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.2% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 3.1% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,587 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $561,069 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 46.7% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 47.3 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.4 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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