City Comparison
Corvallis vs Eugene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eugene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Corvallis
Eugene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Corvallis.
| Metric | Corvallis | Eugene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,858 | $1,800 | +3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $95 | $90 | +6% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,778 | $2,290 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 64 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Corvallis offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Corvallis | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $65,012 | $66,562 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Corvallis runs warmer on average — a 54°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Corvallis comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Corvallis sees 6.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Corvallis | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Corvallis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Eugene.
Corvallis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Corvallis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Corvallis | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 21.80 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eugene is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Corvallis.
From a growth perspective, Corvallis 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 | Corvallis | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,499 | 178,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.03% |
| Median Age | 27.9 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Corvallis
Advantages
Average hourly wages in the Corvallis metro area outperform the national average at $35.58 per hour per May 2025 BLS data.
Exceptional bicycling infrastructure and a free municipal transit system (CTS) reduce car dependency.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including the Cascade Mountains and Willamette Valley wine country.
Top-tier healthcare access anchored by Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Extremely low violent crime rates compared to national and state averages.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average due to geographical and regulatory constraints.
Low rental vacancy rates during peak academic transition periods create intense competition for housing.
Poverty rate statistics are statistically elevated due to a high concentration of student residents with minimal reported income.
Prone to prolonged overcast and rainy periods during the autumn and winter seasons.
Limited commercial flight options out of the local municipal airport require travel to Eugene or Portland.
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.
Corvallis
#445Oregon, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,858
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
82
Business
72
Eugene
#297Oregon, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
64
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
79
Business
0
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