Lake Charles LA vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 100,713 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.5 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 47.3% | 24.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $31,989 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 21.3% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $765,319 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Norwalk
503
Norwalk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Norwalk
2388
Norwalk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Norwalk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Norwalk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 32.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Norwalk is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA