Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 81,679 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 4.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 22.9% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 4.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $56,864 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,847 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.2% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 45.6% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.0% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 62.4 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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