Lake Charles LA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.4 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 47.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $534,732 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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