Is Eugene or Pendleton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pendleton is safer than Eugene (Safety Score 18/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,090 per 100,000 versus 3,574 for Eugene — 14% lower. Eugene has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pendleton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Eugene is 10.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Eugene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pendleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Eugene, OR
Pendleton, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Eugene | Pendleton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,574.1 | 3,089.8 | +484.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.4 | 408.5 | -90.1 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 0.0 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 103.6 | -57.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.8 | 23.0 | +47.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.9 | 281.9 | -82.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,255.7 | 2,681.2 | +574.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.7 | 258.9 | +216.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,458.2 | 2,192.2 | +266.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.8 | 230.2 | +91.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or Pendleton safer?
Pendleton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,090 per 100K vs 3,574 for Eugene — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Eugene has a violent crime rate of 318.4 per 100K while Pendleton has 408.5. Eugene has lower violent crime.
About Eugene, OR
Eugene, Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley, is a city with a strong counter-culture legacy and a significant student population due to the University of Oregon. Its verdant surroundings are characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 178,057, Eugene has a total crime rate of 3,574.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Pendleton, OR
Pendleton, Oregon, a city of about 17,000 in Umatilla County, is famous for its annual Pendleton Round-Up rodeo. Situated along the Umatilla River in Eastern Oregon, it was once a major wheat shipping hub. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 17,380, Pendleton has a total crime rate of 3,089.8 per 100,000 residents.