Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 81,679 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.2 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 4.7% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 23.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 4.7% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $56,864 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $35,847 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 23.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 29.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 45.6% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.2% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.7% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 62.4 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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