Lake Charles LA vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 47.3% | 37.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 24.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $29,291 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 18.5% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $487,346 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 35.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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