Eugene OR vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 146,211 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 78.9% | 51.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.3% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $45,845 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $27,570 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 29.6% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 30.5% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.3% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.5% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.8% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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