Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 81,679 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 47.3% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $56,864 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,847 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 23.2% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.4% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 45.6% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.2% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.7% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.0% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 62.4 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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