Kailua HI 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)
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
42.8%
Asian
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 81,679 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 47.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kailua
$63,296
Kailua +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,864 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,847 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $55,297 | Kailua + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kailua
$1,530,716
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,530,716 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kailua
2592
Kailua +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 643 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 2824 | Kailua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kailua
9.8%
Kailua +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kailua
15.8%
Kailua +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kailua
18.3%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kailua
14.9%
Kailua +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 45.6% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 16.2% | Kailua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.7% | Kailua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.7% | 9.6% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.0% | Kailua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kailua
69.3°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kailua
107.9 in
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 107.9 in | 62.4 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kailua
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kailua
N/A
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Kailua, HI | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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