Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Eugene leads 12 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
Rent averages $592/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,861)
Homes cost $86k less ($406,000 vs $491,800)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 38°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $36,398/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.9%)
Norwalk, CT
Pros
73% less violent crime than Eugene
Households earn $36,398 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.9%)
Smaller class sizes — 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Eugene
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Median Home Value
$86k less
$406,000 vs $491,800
Norwalk
Median Income
$36,398
$97,879 vs $61,481/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
73% lower
85.0 vs 317.9 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $491,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 42.6% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 12 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 12 and Norwalk wins 11. 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 Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $491,800 median home), income ($61,481 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Norwalk, CT are about 2,498 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.