Eugene OR vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.7 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 78.9% | 66.6% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $63,072 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,958 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,860 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 30.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 449 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.5% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.3% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 57.0°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita 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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