Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 14 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
San Mateo
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,152 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
104,165
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
Homes cost $1103k less ($406,000 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $1702/mo less ($1,269 vs $2,971)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Smaller class sizes — 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $87,671/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 4.7%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $87,671 more per year on average
23% less violent crime than Eugene
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (4.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Eugene
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Median Home Value
$1103k less
$406,000 vs $1,508,900
Eugene
Summer Heat
11.4°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$87,671
$149,152 vs $61,481/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
23% lower
243.2 vs 317.9 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
4.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 90 ✓ 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 ✓ Smaller | 21.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 19.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 104,165 |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 51.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 16.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 14 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 9 and San Mateo 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 San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($61,481 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and San Mateo, CA are about 451 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.