Lake Charles LA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.9 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 47.3% | 44.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 8.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $791,317 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Rancho Cucamonga +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 34.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA