Eugene OR vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 94,723 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.9 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 78.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.8% | 0.8% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.5% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 11.3% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $60,713 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $672,082 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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