Killeen TX 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)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
Killeen
45,598
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.7% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 47.3% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.6% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $56,864 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $35,847 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.5% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 23.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 29.4% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 61.1% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lake Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 45.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.2% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.0% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 62.4 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, 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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