Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 81,679 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 4.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 47.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 4.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $56,864 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $35,847 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 23.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 29.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 45.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 62.4 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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