Eugene OR vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 78.9% | 61.6% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.9% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 40.4% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.5% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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