Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 81,679 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 4.7% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 47.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 2.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 4.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $56,864 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $35,847 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 23.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 29.4% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 45.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.7% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.0% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 62.4 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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