Lake Charles LA vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 47.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 42.8% | 7.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $411,323 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 57.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PALake Charles, LA vs San Antonio, TX