Lake Charles LA vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 47.3% | 34.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 13.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $580,996 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 30.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Miami
15.5%
Miami +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Miami + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 27.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 64.1 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 29.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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