Eugene OR vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 176,666 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.7 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 78.9% | 69.8% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.6% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.5% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Salem
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $36,477 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 31.4% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Salem
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Salem
3001
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.4% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.7% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 53.0°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.5 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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