Lake Charles LA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 47.3% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 42.8% | 6.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $56,025 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $30,475 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 16.8% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $439,767 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 40.0% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 22.0% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 21.4% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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