Lake Charles LA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 47.3% | 36.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 30.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $53,771 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $34,482 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 25.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $330,564 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 28.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.0 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 Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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