Eugene OR vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 78.9% | 53.8% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 61.1°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 46.2 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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