City Comparison
Eugene vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eugene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Eugene
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eugene's average rent is
18% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Eugene | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $2,184 | -18% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $0 | $231 | -100% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,290 | $3,015 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 64 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Eugene | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $61,558 |
| Household Income | $66,562 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Eugene | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Eugene has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
| Metric | Eugene | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.80 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles 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 | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,675 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Los Angeles
#157California, USA
42.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Eugene and Los Angeles.
Open Cost Calculator