Eugene OR vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 78.9% | 40.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $36,694 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 20.1% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 34.7% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.2% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.4% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 27.4 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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