Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 81,679 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 47.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,864 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,847 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 45.6% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.2% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.7% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.0% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 62.4 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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