Lake Charles LA vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 47.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $293,233 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 55.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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