Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Meridian, ID
🏆 Meridian leads 13 of 22 categories
Eugene
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Meridian
Idaho
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,296 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
119,872
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
Rent averages $279/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,548)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 39°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Homes cost $20k less ($406,000 vs $425,800)
Cons
Median income trails Meridian by $31,815/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Meridian
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 2.7%)
Meridian, ID
Pros
Households earn $31,815 more per year on average
54% less violent crime than Eugene
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.4 pts lower (2.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.8 vs 380/100k)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,548/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $425,800
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Median Home Value
$20k less
$406,000 vs $425,800
Meridian
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Meridian
Median Income
$31,815
$93,296 vs $61,481/yr
Meridian
Violent Crime
54% lower
146.8 vs 317.9 per 100k
Meridian
Unemployment
4.4 pp lower
2.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Meridian
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Meridian, ID |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $425,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,548⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $93,296 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 2.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 14.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 27 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 43.5% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% | 96.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 38.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 12.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 18.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 119,872 |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 76.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 27.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Meridian's 93.4 (US average = 100).
Meridian is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Meridian leads 13 of 22 categories. Eugene wins 9 and Meridian wins 13. 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 Meridian or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $425,800 median home), income ($61,481 vs $93,296), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Meridian, ID are about 336 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.