Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 81,679 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 14.5% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 81.8% | 42.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $55,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $204,081 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 643 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2824 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lake Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 45.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.7% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 62.4 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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, Lake Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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