Lake Charles LA vs Lakeland FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 48.4 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 47.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 42.8% | 8.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 26.8% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $312,001 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 54.8 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA