Lake Charles LA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 47.3% | 16.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $48,416 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $25,509 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 10.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 24.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 17.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $482,675 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 24.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.0% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 23.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.2% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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