Corona 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Corona +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Corona
41.6%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 81,679 | Corona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 4.7% | Corona + |
| White | 41.6% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 5.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 2.6% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 4.7% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Corona +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $56,864 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $35,847 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 23.2% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 29.4% | Corona + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 61.1% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Corona +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Corona +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Corona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Corona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
35.1%
Corona +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Corona +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 45.6% | Corona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.7% | Corona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 18.0% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Corona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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