Lake Charles LA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 47.3% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 42.8% | 23.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $52,170 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $29,894 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.9% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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