Eugene OR vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.5 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 78.9% | 61.8% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.2% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $871,599 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 44.3% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Eugene +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Eugene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.0% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 52.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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