Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 81,679 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 4.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.6% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 4.7% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $56,864 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 23.2% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 45.6% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.2% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.7% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.0% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 62.4 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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