Eugene OR vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 78.9% | 39.1% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $580,173 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.1% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 24.0% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 32.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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