Lake Charles LA vs New Braunfels TX — 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 Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 267 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.4 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 47.3% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 42.8% | 0.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 0.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $21,360 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 1.8% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $352,129 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
New Braunfels
19.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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