Eugene OR vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 129,239 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 78.9% | 31.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $720,443 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.2% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.4% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 59.2°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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