Lake Charles LA vs Murrieta CA — 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 84,304 | Murrieta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 46.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 47.3% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 42.8% | 0.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $690,322 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Murrieta
503
Murrieta +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Murrieta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Murrieta
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | 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
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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