Lake Charles LA vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 47.3% | 36.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 38.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $51,888 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $29,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 26.6% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $226,456 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Lake Charles +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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