Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 81,679 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 4.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 47.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 4.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $56,864 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 23.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 45.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 62.4 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corpus Christi scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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