City Comparison
Alexandria vs Eugene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eugene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alexandria
Eugene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alexandria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Eugene.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alexandria's average rent is
46% lower than Eugene's.
| Metric | Alexandria | Eugene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $974 | $1,800 | -46% |
| Groceries | $395 | $400 | -1% |
| Utilities | $226 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,935 | $2,290 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 64 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alexandria offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Alexandria | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,107 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $38,952 | $0 |
| Household Income | $47,113 | $66,562 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alexandria | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alexandria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Eugene.
| Metric | Alexandria | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.80 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eugene is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Alexandria.
From a growth perspective, Eugene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Alexandria | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,060 | 178,675 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.03% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alexandria
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average, primarily due to significantly lower housing expenses.
Housing costs are 26% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $175,000 in May 2026.
The average commute time is relatively short at 17.4 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Alexandria is a regional healthcare hub with at least four major hospitals, and healthcare costs are 11% lower than the national average.
The city's economy is diverse, with a 3.32% job growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Drawbacks
Alexandria has a very high violent crime rate, 671% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's population is projected to decline by 1.3% annually, indicating a negative growth trend.
Summers are consistently hot, humid, and often described as oppressive.
A significant portion of the population, 27%, lives below the poverty line as of 2024.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 77.7% of residents driving alone to work.
Eugene
Advantages
Eugene boasts a high livability score of 79 out of 100, ranking it among the top cities in Oregon and the USA.
The city offers an extensive array of local amenities, including diverse dining, entertainment, and shopping options.
Violent crime rates in Eugene are slightly below the national average, despite a higher overall crime rate driven by property offenses.
Residents enjoy shorter-than-average commute times, with an average of 20.2 minutes in 2024.
The quality of life in Eugene is highly rated by residents, with 82% reporting satisfaction in a 2025 survey.
Drawbacks
Eugene's overall crime rate is approximately 69% above the national rate, primarily due to property crimes.
The cost of living in Eugene is considered high, with housing costs being a significant factor.
Affordable housing choices are a top concern for residents, with many believing the city is heading in the wrong direction on this issue.
Positive views of Eugene as a place to work have declined, falling to 40.2% in 2025.
Nursing home costs in Eugene are among the highest in Oregon, with private rooms costing around $18,098 monthly in 2024-2025.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alexandria
#169Louisiana, USA
35.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$974
Avg Salary
$50,107
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
50
Business
60
Eugene
#33Oregon, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
64
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
79
Business
0
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