Eugene OR vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 115,396 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.6 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 78.9% | 21.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 32.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $608,357 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Richmond
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 58.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 37.7 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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