Lake Charles LA vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 47.3% | 42.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 41.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 29.1% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $294,407 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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