Lake Charles LA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 47.3% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $26,755 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $486,127 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 39.9% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.5% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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