City Comparison
Evansville vs Eugene
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eugene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evansville
Eugene
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Evansville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Eugene.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evansville's average rent is
47% lower than Eugene's.
| Metric | Evansville | Eugene | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,800 | -47% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $2,290 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 64 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evansville offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Evansville | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $66,562 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Evansville runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Evansville comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Evansville sees 14.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evansville | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Evansville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Evansville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Evansville | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 21.80 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eugene is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Evansville.
From a growth perspective, Evansville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Evansville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Evansville | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,738 | 178,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.03% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Evansville
Advantages
Median home prices in Evansville are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, well below the national average, per U.S. Census Bureau statistics.
The city features robust healthcare networks anchored by major regional employers like Deaconess Health System and Ascension St. Vincent.
Wesselman Woods provides access to one of the largest urban old-growth forests in the United States right within city limits.
A thriving arts and culture scene is highlighted by the historic Haynie's Corner Arts District and active community festivals.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited outside of core routes, resulting in a high reliance on personal vehicles per local transit studies.
Property crime rates in certain urban core neighborhoods exceed national medians per annual FBI crime data reports.
Summer humidity can be quite high, occasionally driving up seasonal cooling utility expenses.
Average household incomes trail national medians, reflecting the regional cost-of-living adjustment.
Limited direct commercial flight destinations from Evansville Regional Airport require travelers to connect through major hubs.
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.
Evansville
#391Indiana, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
75
Business
71
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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