Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Lancaster, CA
🏆 Eugene leads 14 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Lancaster
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
62% less violent crime than Lancaster
Rent averages $307/mo less ($1,269 vs $1,576)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 98°F
Cons
Median income trails Lancaster by $9,886/yr
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Households earn $9,886 more per year on average
Homes cost $37k less ($368,800 vs $406,000)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (834.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Eugene
Key Differences at a Glance
Eugene
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Eugene
Violent Crime
62% lower
317.9 vs 834.7 per 100k
Lancaster
Median Income
$9,886
$71,367 vs $61,481/yr
Lancaster
Median Home Value
$37k less
$368,800 vs $406,000
Lancaster
Summer Heat
13.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $368,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,576⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $71,367 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 8.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | C- (63) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 19.4% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 81.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Lancaster Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 58.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 6.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 171,465 |
| Median Age | 35.2 ✓ Older | 33.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 57.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Lancaster's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Eugene is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 14 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 14 and Lancaster wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Eugene to Lancaster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $368,800 median home), income ($61,481 vs $71,367), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Lancaster, CA are about 698 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.