Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 81,679 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.7% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 47.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 4.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $35,847 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $55,297 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2824 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 45.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.0% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 62.4 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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