Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 89.9% | 47.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 4.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $56,864 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $35,847 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $55,297 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 23.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 29.4% | Cheyenne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 61.1% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 643 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2824 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 45.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.7% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.0% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 62.4 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 19.0 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
Compare More Cities
Cheyenne, WY vs New York, NYCheyenne, WY vs Los Angeles, CACheyenne, WY vs Chicago, ILCheyenne, WY vs Houston, TXCheyenne, WY vs Phoenix, AZCheyenne, WY vs Philadelphia, PA