Eugene OR vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 78.9% | 58.2% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $54,546 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $31,152 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 18.8% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 30.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 69.8°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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