Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 81,679 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 46.7% | 42.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 4.7% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.2% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 29.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $204,081 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 45.6% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.0% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 62.4 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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