Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 81,679 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.2 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 4.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 22.4% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 4.7% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $56,864 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 23.2% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 29.4% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 45.6% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.7% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.0% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 62.4 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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