Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Portland, OR
🏆 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 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755
Portland
Oregon
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,876 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
190⚠ High
Population
646,101 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
56% less violent crime than Portland
Homes cost $117k less ($406,000 vs $523,100)
Rent averages $261/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,530)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Portland
Cons
Median income trails Portland by $24,395/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.6%)
Portland, OR
Pros
Households earn $24,395 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 52.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (720.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $523,100
Higher rents — median is $1,530/mo
Property crime (5526.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Violent Crime
56% lower
317.9 vs 720.1 per 100k
Eugene
Median Home Value
$117k less
$406,000 vs $523,100
Eugene
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 80.3°F
Portland
Median Income
$24,395
$85,876 vs $61,481/yr
Portland
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Portland, 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 | $523,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,530⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $85,876 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 24.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 22.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 219⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 16.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% | 52.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 93.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Portland SD 1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 46.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 44.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 3.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 | 646,101 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 53.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 16.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Portland's 106.6 (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 Portland 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 Portland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $523,100 median home), income ($61,481 vs $85,876), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Portland, OR are about 105 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.