Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 81,679 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.7% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.7% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,847 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $55,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 45.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.7% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 62.4 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.0 min | Columbia + |
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, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA