Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 81,679 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.2 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 4.7% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 2.1% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 2.6% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 4.7% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $56,864 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $35,847 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 23.2% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 29.4% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Fullerton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Fullerton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 45.6% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.2% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.7% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 18.0% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 62.4 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fullerton 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 Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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