Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 81,679 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.2 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 4.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 15.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.6% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 4.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $56,864 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 23.2% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 61.1% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 45.6% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.7% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.0% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 62.4 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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