Performance
Score Breakdown
Eugene
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eugene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eugene's average rent is
26% higher than Schenectady's.
| Metric | Eugene | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,425 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $442 | -10% |
| Utilities | $0 | $323 | -100% |
| Transport | $90 | $899 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,290 | $3,089 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 64 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Eugene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $70,000 |
| Household Income | $66,562 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Eugene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Eugene | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.80 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eugene is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Schenectady.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady 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 | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,675 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
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.
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
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
Schenectady
#62New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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