Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Eugene leads 13 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755
Reno
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
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 Reno
Homes cost $56k less ($406,000 vs $462,100)
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Rent averages $91/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,360)
Smaller class sizes — 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Reno by $11,592/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.0%)
Reno, NV
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $11,592 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Violent Crime
40% lower
317.9 vs 529.6 per 100k
Eugene
Median Home Value
$56k less
$406,000 vs $462,100
Reno
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Median Income
$11,592
$73,073 vs $61,481/yr
Reno
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.1% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $73,073 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 20.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 35.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 48.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Reno is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 13 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 13 and Reno wins 10. 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 Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $462,100 median home), income ($61,481 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Reno, NV are about 354 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.