Lake Charles LA vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 111,514 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.1 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 4.0% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 0.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Pueblo
19.2%
Pueblo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,305 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $30,949 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.2% | Pueblo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 22.8% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
$286,326
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
60.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $286,326 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 60.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Pueblo
512
Pueblo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Pueblo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Pueblo
13.5%
Pueblo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Pueblo
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Pueblo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.1% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Pueblo
21.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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