Lake Charles LA vs Midland TX — 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%
Midland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$330,788
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Midland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Midland
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Midland
N/A
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Midland
N/A
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Midland
N/A
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Midland
N/A
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Midland
N/A
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Midland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 47.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Midland
$63,758
Midland +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Midland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Midland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Midland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Midland
$330,788
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $330,788 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Midland
442
Midland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Midland
2339
Midland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Midland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Midland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Midland
36.0%
Midland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Midland
11.3%
Midland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Midland
17.6%
Midland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Midland
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Midland
18.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Midland
12.5%
Midland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.0% | Midland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.3% | Midland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Midland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 19.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.5% | Midland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Midland
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Midland
14.8 in
Midland +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 14.8 in | Midland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Midland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Midland
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Midland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Midland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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