Lake Charles LA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.1 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 47.3% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 42.8% | 3.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $488,428 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 31.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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