Eugene OR vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 161,993 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 78.9% | 21.8% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.4% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $28,813 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 15.5% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $751,711 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 47.0% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 22.4% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 57.3°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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