Lake Charles LA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 47.3% | 36.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 39.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $233,814 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.3% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 34.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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