Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Lowell, MA
🏆 Eugene leads 16 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Lowell
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
114,737
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
40% less violent crime than Lowell
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Rent averages $197/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,466)
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 34°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Cons
Median income trails Lowell by $11,527/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.7%)
Lowell, MA
Pros
Households earn $11,527 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.7%)
Homes cost $43k less ($362,800 vs $406,000)
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,466/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Eugene
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Violent Crime
40% lower
317.9 vs 532.5 per 100k
Lowell
Median Income
$11,527
$73,008 vs $61,481/yr
Lowell
Median Home Value
$43k less
$362,800 vs $406,000
Lowell
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $362,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,466⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $73,008 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 28.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Lowell |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 34.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" ✓ Drier | 48.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 59.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 114,737 |
| Median Age | 35.2 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 20.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 11.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Lowell's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 16 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 16 and Lowell wins 7. 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 Lowell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $362,800 median home), income ($61,481 vs $73,008), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Lowell, MA are about 2,561 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.