Lake Charles LA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 47.3% | 40.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 13.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $429,449 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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