City Comparison
Lake Oswego vs Eugene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lake Oswego scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lake Oswego
Eugene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lake Oswego is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Eugene.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Eugene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $1,800 | +4% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $0 | $90 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,866 | $2,290 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 64 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lake Oswego offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,859 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $0 |
| Household Income | $141,549 | $66,562 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lake Oswego runs warmer on average — a 55°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lake Oswego comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lake Oswego sees 12.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | % | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | — | — |
| Walkability | — | — |
| Traffic Index | 21.80 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eugene is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lake Oswego.
From a growth perspective, Lake Oswego 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 | Lake Oswego | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,495 | 178,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.03% |
| Median Age | 46.7 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lake Oswego
Advantages
Lake Oswego has a violent crime rate of 0.7 per 1,000 residents, roughly one-fifth of the national average, making it a very safe city.
The median household income in Lake Oswego was $141,549 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Lake Oswego boasts a highly educated population, with 74.8% of persons aged 25 years and over holding a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2024.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant parks, lake access, and a strong community spirit.
Lake Oswego's median home price of $974,750 in October 2026, while high, indicates a strong and desirable real estate market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Lake Oswego is notably higher than both the national and Portland metro averages, primarily driven by housing costs.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lake Oswego is $1,866 per month, which is above the national average.
Property crime in Lake Oswego, while below the state average, is slightly above the national average.
Rental supply in Lake Oswego is thin due to the city's ownership-oriented nature, making finding rental properties challenging.
Oregon's overall economic activity has been declining, and unemployment is rising at a faster pace than the U.S. average, which could impact the local economy.
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.
Lake Oswego
#68Oregon, USA
69.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$84,859
Cost Index
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
85
Business
70
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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