Performance
Score Breakdown
Eugene
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
50% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eugene's average rent is
53% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Eugene | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,178 | +53% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $0 | $195 | -100% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $2,723 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,290 | $4,616 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 64 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Eugene | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $69,443 |
| Household Income | $66,562 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Eugene | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Eugene has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Eugene | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.80 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Eugene.
From a growth perspective, Eugene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Eugene | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,675 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Eugene
#4Oregon, USA
79.0 / 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
Albuquerque
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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