Eugene OR vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 118,578 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.7% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 72.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.3% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.9% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 46.8% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 42.7% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.1% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.8% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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