Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 81,679 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.2 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 4.7% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 47.3% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.6% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 4.7% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $56,864 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $35,847 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 23.2% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 29.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Boulder +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Boulder + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 45.6% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 16.2% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.7% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 18.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 62.4 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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