Lake Charles LA vs Pembroke Pines 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 43.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 47.3% | 43.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 21.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $488,550 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Pembroke Pines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 33.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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