Eugene OR vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 102,866 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 78.9% | 54.1% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.7% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $52,512 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $29,511 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,697 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 22.6% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 29.4% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 370 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.7% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.3% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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