Lake Charles LA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 47.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 42.8% | 7.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $429,253 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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