Performance
Score Breakdown
Eugene
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
51% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eugene's average rent is
47% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Eugene | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $3,382 | -47% |
| Groceries | $400 | $520 | -23% |
| Utilities | $0 | $370 | -100% |
| Transport | $90 | $130 | -31% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,290 | $4,652 | -51% |
| Cost Index | 64 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Eugene | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $61,000 |
| Household Income | $66,562 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Eugene | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Eugene has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Eugene | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.80 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Eugene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Eugene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Eugene | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,675 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
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.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
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
New York City
#64New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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