Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Davenport +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 81,679 | Davenport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 75.9% | 47.3% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 4.7% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $56,864 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $35,847 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $55,297 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.2% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 29.4% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $204,081 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 61.1% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 643 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2824 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 45.6% | Davenport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.2% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.7% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.0% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 62.4 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Davenport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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