Lake Charles LA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.3 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 47.3% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 42.8% | 9.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $507,575 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 56.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | 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
Lake Charles +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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