Lake Charles LA vs Nashua NH — 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 91,131 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 47.3% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $507,692 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 56.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Nashua
48.0 in
Nashua +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 48.0 in | Nashua + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA