Eugene OR vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.6 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 78.9% | 48.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.3% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $57,673 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,074 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 37.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 63.8°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 58.4 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.2 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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