Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 81,679 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 51.0% | 42.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 4.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Lake Charles
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 29.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lake Charles
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lake Charles
2824
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 45.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 62.4 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, 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 643 in Baton Rouge. 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, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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