Lake Charles LA vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 11,627 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 47.3% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 42.8% | 15.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $472,888 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 29.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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