Lake Charles LA vs Norfolk 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 47.3% | 44.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 39.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $310,519 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Norfolk 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 Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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