Akron OH 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)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 81,679 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 4.7% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 47.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $55,297 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 23.2% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $204,081 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2824 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Akron +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 45.6% | Akron + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 62.4 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Akron scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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