City Comparison
Phoenix vs Eugene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eugene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Phoenix
Eugene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% higher compared to Phoenix.
Housing costs are a major driver: Phoenix's average rent is
17% lower than Eugene's.
| Metric | Phoenix | Eugene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,492 | $1,800 | -17% |
| Groceries | $426 | $400 | +7% |
| Utilities | $391 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $64 | $90 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,753 | $2,290 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 64 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Phoenix offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Phoenix | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,356 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $52,974 | $0 |
| Household Income | $81,332 | $66,562 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phoenix | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 14.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Eugene has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Phoenix.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phoenix leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phoenix | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | 21.80 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 9.4x the population of Eugene.
From a growth perspective, Phoenix is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Phoenix | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,677,947 | 178,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.75% | 0.03% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, higher than the national average.
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.
Phoenix
#100Arizona, USA
55.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
68
Business
75
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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