Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 81,679 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 4.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 17.1% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 4.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $56,864 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $55,297 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 643 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2824 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 45.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.7% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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