Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 81,679 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.7% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 47.3% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 4.7% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $56,864 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.2% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 45.6% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.2% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 62.4 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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