Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 81,679 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 77.1% | 47.3% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $55,297 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 23.2% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $204,081 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 643 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2824 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 45.6% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.2% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Evansville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 62.4 in | Evansville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
Compare More Cities
Evansville, IN vs New York, NYEvansville, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Evansville, INEvansville, IN vs Houston, TXEvansville, IN vs Phoenix, AZEvansville, IN vs Philadelphia, PA