Lake Charles LA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.4 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 47.3% | 31.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
New Orleans
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,339 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $245,988 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
New Orleans
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
New Orleans
2824
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 66.6 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.6 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 Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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