Des Moines 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 81,679 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 4.7% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 47.3% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 4.7% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $56,864 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $35,847 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $55,297 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 23.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 643 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2824 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 45.6% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.7% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.0% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 62.4 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Des Moines, 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
Des Moines
21.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA