Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 81,679 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 4.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 47.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 4.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $56,864 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 23.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 29.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 45.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 62.4 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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