Eugene OR vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 170,013 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 78.9% | 35.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $29,766 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 20.1% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.8% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 62.1°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 33.0 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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