Lake Charles LA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 86,973 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 47.3% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $33,579 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 25.6% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $509,396 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 60.9% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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