Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 81,679 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 4.7% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 47.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.6% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.7% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $56,864 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $35,847 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $55,297 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 23.2% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 29.4% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 61.1% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Lake Charles
643
Lake Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 643 | Lake Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2824 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 45.6% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 18.0% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 62.4 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lake Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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