Gresham 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 81,679 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 4.7% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 47.3% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.6% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 4.7% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $56,864 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $55,297 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 23.2% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 643 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2824 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 45.6% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.0% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gresham, 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
Gresham
28.8 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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