Eugene OR vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 78.9% | 41.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.2% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $46,628 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $30,451 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.9% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 26.6% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 29.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 37.2% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 38.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.3% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.6% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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