Eugene OR vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 78.9% | 58.0% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,825 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 19.8% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 34.1% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 42.4% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Worcester
19.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.3% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.5% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 48.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 27.3 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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