Eugene OR vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 107,699 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.7% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 49.6% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.6% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 5.2% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $48,536 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $31,324 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $51,690 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 23.8% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 38.1% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 45.1% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 400 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 42.6% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.0% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 21.3% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 65.0°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 55.0 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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