Lake Charles LA vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 100,905 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.8 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 47.3% | 44.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 12.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,083 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 23.3% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $584,482 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 33.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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