Fayetteville NC 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 81,679 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 4.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 4.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 23.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 45.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 62.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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