Lake Charles LA vs Livonia 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Livonia
94,058
Livonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 94,058 | Livonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 45.1 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.2% | Livonia + |
| White | 47.3% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 4.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Livonia
$58,052
Livonia +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Livonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $314,705 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Livonia
471
Livonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Livonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | 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 +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Livonia
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, 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 +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Livonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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