Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Phoenix leads 14 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755
Phoenix
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
60% less violent crime than Phoenix
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 104°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Median income trails Phoenix by $10,611/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.2%)
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (5.2%)
Homes cost $66k less ($340,200 vs $406,000)
Households earn $10,611 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 48°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
Cons
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Violent Crime
60% lower
317.9 vs 799.6 per 100k
Phoenix
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Phoenix
Median Income
$10,611
$72,092 vs $61,481/yr
Phoenix
Median Home Value
$66k less
$340,200 vs $406,000
Phoenix
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.1% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
20.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $340,200⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 15.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.2 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 56.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Phoenix is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Phoenix leads 14 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 9 and Phoenix wins 14. 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $340,200 median home), income ($61,481 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Phoenix, AZ are about 935 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.