Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 81,679 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.2 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 47.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 4.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $56,864 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $35,847 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 23.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.4% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 61.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 45.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 62.4 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA