Lake Charles LA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 3.8% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 39.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 3.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $51,090 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $32,893 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 65.3 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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