Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Eugene leads 15 of 22 categories
Eugene
Oregon
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755
Tacoma
Washington
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
70% less violent crime than Tacoma
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Rent averages $220/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,489)
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Smaller class sizes — 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Tacoma by $17,604/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.4%)
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $17,604 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.4%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 84°F
Cons
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5603.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Violent Crime
70% lower
317.9 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Eugene
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$17,604
$79,085 vs $61,481/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Tacoma, 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 | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 12.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 32.8% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 90.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 40.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 5.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 14.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Eugene leads 15 of 22 categories. Eugene wins 15 and Tacoma wins 7. 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 Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $415,300 median home), income ($61,481 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Tacoma, WA are about 223 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.