Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 81,679 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 47.3% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $56,864 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $35,847 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 23.2% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 45.6% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.0% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 62.4 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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