City Comparison
Bloomington vs Eugene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eugene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bloomington
Eugene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Bloomington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bloomington's average rent is
39% lower than Eugene's.
| Metric | Bloomington | Eugene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,800 | -39% |
| Groceries | $685 | $400 | +71% |
| Utilities | $391 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $300 | $90 | +233% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,596 | $2,290 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 64 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Bloomington | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $44,700 | $0 |
| Household Income | $77,384 | $66,562 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bloomington | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Eugene.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bloomington | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 21.80 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eugene is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bloomington | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,268 | 178,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.03% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
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.
Bloomington
#48Illinois, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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