High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
High Point
32.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 81,679 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 4.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 32.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.6% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 4.7% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $56,864 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.2% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 29.4% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 45.6% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.2% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.7% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.0% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 62.4 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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