Lake Charles LA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 47.3% | 25.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $51,211 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $32,314 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 28.2% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.0% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.9% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 54.9 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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