Lake Charles LA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.3 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 47.3% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 42.8% | 19.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $34,474 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 22.6% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $304,173 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 29.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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