Lake Charles LA vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 79,255 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 4.6% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 42.8% | 27.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $30,004 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $264,994 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 49.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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