Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Hillsboro, OR
🏆 Eugene leads 13 of 22 categories
Eugene
Oregon
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Hillsboro
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,891 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
106,612
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
Rent averages $528/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,797)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Homes cost $46k less ($406,000 vs $452,300)
Smaller class sizes — 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Hillsboro
Cons
Median income trails Hillsboro by $37,410/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 4.6%)
Hillsboro, OR
Pros
Households earn $37,410 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.6%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,797/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $452,300
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Eugene
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Median Home Value
$46k less
$406,000 vs $452,300
Hillsboro
Median Income
$37,410
$98,891 vs $61,481/yr
Hillsboro
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Hillsboro, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $452,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,797⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $98,891 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 23.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 17.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 84 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 41.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 90.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Hillsboro SD 1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 47.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 82.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 35.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 106,612 |
| Median Age | 35.2 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 50.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Hillsboro's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Eugene leads 13 of 22 categories. Eugene wins 13 and Hillsboro wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Eugene to Hillsboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $452,300 median home), income ($61,481 vs $98,891), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Hillsboro, OR are about 102 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.