Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 4.7% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 47.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 4.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $56,864 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $35,847 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 23.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 61.1% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Chula Vista + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 45.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.7% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.0% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 62.4 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Chula Vista is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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