Lake Charles LA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
New York
35.9%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 47.3% | 35.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 22.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $816,078 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 32.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 44.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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