Eugene OR vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 98,677 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.0 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 78.9% | 57.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.6% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $52,671 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $34,792 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 19.7% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 28.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.9% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.9% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.7% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 56.0°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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