Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Lake Charles
36.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 34.4% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 56.6% | 42.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $204,081 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lake Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 45.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 62.4 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Lake Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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