Eugene OR vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.2 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 6.1% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.8% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $38,200 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 32.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Eugene +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, 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%
Eugene +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.3% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.3% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.6 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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