Eugene OR vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.0 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 78.9% | 50.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $1,006,261 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.5% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 61.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Eugene, OR vs New York, NYEugene, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Eugene, OREugene, OR vs Houston, TXEugene, OR vs Phoenix, AZEugene, OR vs Philadelphia, PA