Lake Charles LA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 47.3% | 39.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 42.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,740 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $54,550 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 28.0% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $313,219 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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