Eugene OR vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 49.2 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 78.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $858,307 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 72.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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