Eugene OR vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 141,925 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 78.9% | 54.0% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.0% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $51,468 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $28,819 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 24.0% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 28.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.8% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.4% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 20.4% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 66.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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