Lake Charles LA vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 47.3% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 42.8% | 13.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Oklahoma City
59.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $207,961 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 59.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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