Eugene OR vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
San Jose
2.9%
San Jose +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.1 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 78.9% | 29.0% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.9% | San Jose + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $1,452,609 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.1% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.1% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 61.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 30.4 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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