Lake Charles LA vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.6 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 47.3% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $487,466 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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