Concord 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)
Concord, CA
California · Population: 124,260
- Median HH Income$109,195
- Median Home Price$739,280
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Concord
124,260
Concord +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Concord
38.6
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Concord
25.6%
Concord +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Concord
48.1%
Concord +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Concord
3.9%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Concord
32.3%
Concord +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 81,679 | Concord + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 25.6% | 4.7% | Concord + |
| White | 48.1% | 47.3% | Concord + |
| Black | 3.9% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 13.5% | 2.6% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 32.3% | 4.7% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Concord
$49,514
Concord +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$77,230
Concord +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.9%
Concord +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
37.8%
Concord +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,195 | $56,864 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,514 | $35,847 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.9% | 23.2% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.4% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$739,280
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
61.4%
Concord +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $739,280 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 61.1% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
503
Concord +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
2388
Concord +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.8%
Concord +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
9.3%
Concord +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
16.2%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 45.6% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.2% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.7% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 18.0% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
61.7°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
18.1 in
Concord +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.1 in | 62.4 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Concord +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
34.9 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Concord, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.9 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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