Lake Charles LA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 47.3% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $575,076 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 58.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 28.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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