Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS
Eugene
Oregon
Pop. 176,755

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
56
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Chicago wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Chicago wins 2–1 overall (63/100)
💰 Chicago is more affordable
💼 Chicago has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Eugene — The Verdict

Chicago scores 63/100 compared to Eugene's 56/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Chicago has a clear edge with home prices 25% lower. Chicago may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Chicago are 25% lower — a difference of $101,500 in median home value.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $10,192 more per year (17% higher median income).
📊
Chicago has a 0.6 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
💰 Chicago vs Eugene: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
50
Median Home Value
$304,500
$406,000
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,269
Median Income
$71,673
$61,481
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Chicago offers home prices 25% lower than Eugene, translating to $101,500 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Chicago vs Eugene: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
35
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.2%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Chicago having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Chicago vs Eugene: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Eugene: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
70
Air Quality (AQI)
60
59 Moderate
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Chicago vs Eugene: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Eugene: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
12
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Eugene: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Eugene cheaper to live in?
Chicago is more affordable overall. Home prices are $101,500 lower in Chicago. Monthly rent is $1,269 in Eugene vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Eugene have better weather?
Eugene scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Eugene better for finding a job?
Chicago currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 5.2% in Eugene. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $61,481 in Eugene.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Eugene?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 12 in Eugene. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Eugene.
Should I move from Chicago to Eugene?
Based on our data, Chicago scores 63.0/100 vs Eugene's 56.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Chicago is more affordable, while Eugene has a better climate.

Planning to move from Chicago to Eugene?

Compare quotes from top-rated moving companies and save up to 40%

Get Free Moving Quotes →

🔗 Related Comparisons

More cities in Illinois → More cities in Oregon →

📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 5, 2026.