Lake Charles LA vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.6 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 4.2% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 42.8% | 10.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $313,200 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| 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
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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