Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 81,679 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 4.7% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 47.3% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 2.6% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 4.7% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $56,864 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $35,847 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 23.2% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 29.4% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Glendale +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 45.6% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.2% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.6% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.0% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 62.4 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Glendale 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 Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
Compare More Cities
Glendale, CA vs New York, NYGlendale, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Glendale, CAGlendale, CA vs Houston, TXGlendale, CA vs Phoenix, AZGlendale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA