Lake Charles LA vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Montgomery
36.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 47.3% | 27.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 4.8% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,687 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $32,068 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 54.3% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 46.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 52.8 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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 Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lake Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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