Lake Charles LA vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 47.3% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,176 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $30,804 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,141 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $290,963 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 55.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 834 | Lake Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3177 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lake Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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