Eugene OR vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 78.9% | 53.2% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.1% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 43.5% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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