Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- 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
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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 | $77,800 | $55,297 | Casper + |
| 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
Casper
$308,116
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 643 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2824 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Casper +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Casper +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Casper +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 45.6% | Casper + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.2% | Casper + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.7% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.0% | Casper + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 62.4 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Casper scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.6%.
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