Is Eugene or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Eugene is safer than Portland (Safety Score 12/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,574 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland — 43% lower. Eugene has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Eugene has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Portland is 3.5x 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
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Eugene, OR
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Eugene | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,574.1 | 6,246.7 | -2,672.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.4 | 720.5 | -402.0 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 10.8 | -9.6 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 50.9 | -4.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.8 | 177.4 | -106.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.9 | 481.2 | -281.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,255.7 | 5,526.2 | -2,270.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.7 | 727.4 | -251.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,458.2 | 3,921.3 | -1,463.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.8 | 877.6 | -555.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or Portland safer?
Eugene is safer with a total crime rate of 3,574 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Eugene has a violent crime rate of 318.4 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. 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.