Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Eugene leads 13 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755
Seattle
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
Homes cost $474k less ($406,000 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $676/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,945)
59% less violent crime than Seattle
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $54,587/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 4.2%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $54,587 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Violent Crime
59% lower
317.9 vs 775.1 per 100k
Eugene
Median Home Value
$474k less
$406,000 vs $879,900
Eugene
Summer Heat
7.5°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$54,587
$116,068 vs $61,481/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
4.2% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ 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 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 13 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 13 and Seattle 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $879,900 median home), income ($61,481 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Seattle, WA are about 249 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.