Lake Charles LA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.4 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 47.3% | 46.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 39.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,714 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $216,863 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 54.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 660 | Lake Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2507 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 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 +
Little Rock
20.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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