Lake Charles LA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 47.3% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $435,670 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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