Lake Charles LA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.9 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 47.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 42.8% | 5.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $441,257 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 49.3% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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