Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 81,679 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 4.7% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 34.1% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.6% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 4.7% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $56,864 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $35,847 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 23.2% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 29.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 45.6% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 16.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 62.4 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA