Lake Charles LA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 47.3% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 42.8% | 27.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $435,807 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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