Lake Charles LA vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 72,528 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.9 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 47.3% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $579,771 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 42.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 38.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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