Lake Charles LA vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 47.3% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 42.8% | 23.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $52,606 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Louisville
60.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $264,957 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 60.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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