Lake Charles LA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 47.3% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $297,017 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 57.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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