Eugene OR vs Lake Charles LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 81,679 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.2 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.7% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 47.3% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.6% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 4.7% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $56,864 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,847 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $55,297 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 23.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 29.4% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 643 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2824 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 45.6% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.2% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.0% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 62.4 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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