Lake Charles LA vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 61,773 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 47.3% | 43.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 30.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 47.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 30.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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